Here’s what attracts cyber attackers: easy targets. This means that you can leave your small business open to a cyber attack if you don’t secure your company’s Wi-Fi systems with passwords or if you trust in passwords that are absurdly simple to guess. In a recent story detailing steps that small business owners can take to secure themselves from cybercrimes, Entrepreneur Magazine suggests that you do the little things that may make most hackers move on to easier targets.

 

Encrypt your Data

The best protection against hackers? Encrypt your data. This will make it harder for cyber criminals to access your company’s bank accounts, employee information and credit-card data. Hackers can crack encryption if they’re skilled enough. But many will see encrypted data and just proceed to an easier target. Best of all, it’s easy to encrypt your data. Simply turn on the full-disk encryption tool that comes with your computers’ operating systems. This tool is called FileVault on Macintosh computers and BitLocker on those powered by Windows. Once these tools are turned on, it will encrypt every file or program on your computers’ drives.

 

The Lockdown Approach

According to the Entrepreneur story, many cyber criminals first break into businesses to steal their computer equipment, especially laptops. After they have these devices, they can often easily hack into a business’ computer systems. That’s why it’s necessary for your employees to take advantage of their computers’ Kensington lock port, the small metal loop attached to most computers and laptops. Users can run cables through these loops to secure their laptop computers to their desks. This sounds strange, but many criminals will spot secured laptops and move on. They don’t like to spend any extra time during their break-ins.

 

Wi-Fi Protection

Often the easiest way for cyber thieves to get into your company accounts is thru your business’ Wi-Fi network. That’s why Entrepreneur Magazine suggests you do away with Wi-Fi completely and instead install a wired network. If you can’t do that, at least protect your Wi-Fi accounts with passwords which are difficult to compromise. A good bet? Long passwords composed of a combination of letters, numbers and symbols.