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Computer and Technology use in your home business Tips Section
6 Small Business Tips for Safe and Secure PCs
Dear StartupNation: When I started my business not long ago, my top tech concerns
were picking the right PCs, getting high speed Internet access, building a Web
site and adding e-commerce. Now I worry most about computer security, including
virus and spam protection, firewalls, hackers and more. What should I be doing?
The trend in technology for small business has definitely taken a turn. Surveys show that business owners now rank computer security among the most crucial survival and growth issues they face. "Any small business that's not worried about computer security isn't paying attention," says Kevin Gilroy, who heads the small business division at HP. "The threat is real, serious and growing."
Independent tech consultants who work with small businesses say they now spend 25 percent of their time helping entrepreneurs solve computer security issues, ranging from fixing firewalls to upgrading virus protection. That's a big jump from previous years. And tech experts who help business owners buy, customize and install various technology and software say their small business customers saw more virus and hacker attacks in 2004 than ever before.
"Internet attacks are growing, and helping small businesses with office security issues is rapidly becoming priority number one among IT solution providers," says Russell Morgan, president of the Information Technology Solution Providers Alliance (ITSPA), a Dallas, TX-based non-profit group. "Small business owners are more aware than ever that they are just as vulnerable to security attacks, viruses and worms as big business. And they are realizing their security systems must be sophisticated to repel those threats." We offer six small business tips to help you maintain a safe and secure PC environment.
Here are six steps to keeping your small business systems safe and secure:
The single most effective step you can take is to install security software
and update it regularly. Anti-virus software scans incoming emails for viruses
and will delete or quarantine any it finds. Updates are critical because new
types of viruses are created monthly.
Set up an Internet firewall. This is your first line of defense and protects
against outside attacks by screening and blocking all traffic between your network
and the Internet that isn't allowed. The firewall also hides computer addresses.
Firewall hardware connects between the cable/ DSL modem and your computers.
Download PC operating system updates. Dump older systems such as Windows 98
or 95 in favor of Windows XP Professional, which is more secure. With Mac, go
to OSX.
Teach employees to safely use email. The first rule of thumb is never open suspicious
or unsolicited attachments. Avoid responding in any way to spam, especially
links that claim you will be removed from the spammer's list.
Make wireless networks secure. Because wireless networks use radio links instead
of cables, they are more vulnerable to hackers. Encryption technologies such
as Wi-Fi Protected Access can help.
Beware of who's using your PCs. Not all computer problems originate outside.
Many start with unauthorized use of computers inside a business. Guard your
PCs in secure areas and use password protection if possible.
These resources can help you stay safe and secure:
National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA) is an organization dedicated to raising
Internet security awareness. Their Small Business section offers security tips
on safeguarding your systems as well as a self-guided security test, educational
materials and other resources.
Microsoft offers security info and software online, so regularly check for Microsoft
Office security updates. Under the "Security Information" heading
you will find good advice on protecting your PCs and improving computer security
in your business. Sign up for the Microsoft Security Update, a free email alert
service for small business that tells you when to take action and what software
to download.
Symantec is a terrific small business resource for computer security products,
services and information. The company's Norton brand targets the consumer and
small business markets. Their Small Business Center has security tips, an "Ask
the Expert" Q&A section and complete info on Symantec security solutions.
Following these small business tips for securing your PCs does take some time,
but it's well worth the effort when you compare it against the potential hazards
of security breaches and viruses.
StartupNation provides expert advice, community forums and resources for entrepreneurs starting a small business, from business plan and life plan development to marketing and sales techniques.
http://www.startupnation.com/
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Small business advice: 7 Steps to Online Security
Startup businesses that make heavy use of email and the internet are facing
a growing problem with computer viruses. Many are receiving false "Returned
Mail" messages for e-mails they never sent from their business. Most haven't
had trouble with computer viruses or the like before. But the problem keeps
getting worse.
The popularity of wireless, instant messaging and other applications has increased the risk. Each one of these technologies represents a new entry point into your computer system for potential trouble. Excedent Technologies, which screens e-mails for spam and viruses on behalf of small business customers, says that 35 percent of messages are spam, and 3.6 percent contain a virus. Even scarier, there are about 87,000 known computer viruses.
Every business owner, from solo entrepreneurs on up, must be prepared to fend off virus attacks. A single security breach can damage data, disrupt business or bring operations to a halt. We've got some small business advice in the form of seven steps to online security.
Here are seven steps that can help you protect your startup business
Security Step #1:
Educate yourself and your employees about the dangers that lurk online. Establish
policies for using the internet in your business that acknowledge some of the
inherent problems, and then hold everyone to them.
Security Step #2:
Take a "layered" approach to protection by installing antivirus software
and other security features on your computers, networks and e-mail. Layering
is crucial because viruses use multiple methods to discover and exploit weaknesses
in your computers, and then replicate themselves.
Security Step #3:
Don't let employees use peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing websites and applications
such as Kazaa or Napster. These programs are open doors for things like adware
and other harmful programs.
Security Step #4:
Warn employees about the dangers of downloading applications from unknown sites.
You may even want to limit the ability of employees to download applications
unless they've been cleared.
Security Step #5:
Keep all operating systems, software and security measures up to date. Manufacturers
are constantly updating these programs to tackle the ever-changing realm of
threats out there, and unless you're staying on top of these updates, you could
leave yourself vulnerable.
Security Step #6:
Install a "firewall" to block incoming traffic that is not needed
for your business.
Security Step #7:
If you discover a PC is infected, take it off your network (if you have one)
so that fixes can be installed.
One leading company helping defend small businesses from internet threats is Cupertino, CA-based Symantec. Their Norton brand of antivirus and other computer security software for small business and home use is outstanding. Symantec offers a full range of antivirus, antispam and problem solving solutions. Even better, their Small Business Center section has dozens of plain-English articles on computer security and maintenance that you'll find helpful.
To help startups and other small businesses better understand online security, Symantec recently launched several free educational tools. The firm's "Security Essentials for Your Small Business" CD-ROM features an interactive guide that helps entrepreneurs understand their exposure to online threats, and can help you evaluate security options. It also includes lists of security best practices for small business.
Our Bottom Line
As startups and small businesses grow and expand their implementation of technology
— from wireless networks to virtual private networks — the need
to secure PCs from today's complex internet threats and security risks becomes
increasingly vital. Our advice to small business is to take specific steps now
to understand the risks and put solutions in place could save your business
from a technology disaster later on.
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http://www.startupnation.com/
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