More businesses are moving online, and it’s easy to start a new company that’s solely available online. However, this move onto the internet makes a business’s cybersecurity paramount. A cybersecurity system ensures hackers can’t access your network, confidential files, or other data. We look at how to increase your cybersecurity when you use ISP proxies from proxy providers like Smartproxy, among other security measures.
Reasons hackers target small businesses
You might think your business is too small and not well-known enough to become targeted by hackers. However, that way of thinking will lead to your business having vulnerabilities hackers can exploit. Below, we look at a few reasons hackers might find your small business an attractive target.
Easier customer information
Customer data you gather includes essential information like their SSN and payment details. These details can be disastrous in the wrong hands. If you believe you won’t become targeted, then you’ll have fewer cybersecurity measures in place, making it easier for hackers to get their hands on this type of data.
Provides vulnerabilities to third parties
Often, small businesses start using sponsorships or partnerships with a more significant entity. While it helps you get starting capital, it can introduce vulnerabilities to its servers. You see it with various data breaches. Larger companies have their data leaked because of third-party vulnerabilities.
Lacks support and resources
Small companies don’t always have the necessary resources for advanced cybersecurity. Hackers and cybercriminals know this all too well. They can target you for that exact reason. While a well-known company might have the resources to fight against a hacker, small ones don’t. These features make small companies attractive prey.
Less financial ability
When starting up a business, you’re usually working on a strict budget, as you only have so much capital available. However, while this means it’s challenging to implement cybersecurity, hackers also take advantage of it. You might even find that they don’t always act immediately. Instead, they create a vulnerability in your systems and infect it with malware.
Increased number of interfaces
As online businesses grow, it often means that your IoT devices also grow. The more devices you have with which you can access your company profile, the more openings you give hackers to access restricted information. You might find that the hacker uses your phone connected to a public network instead of your primary servers to steal confidential data.
Casual training
Small businesses have a lot of aspects they must implement when starting up, but this often means their employees aren’t trained professionally. If you’re working with people who receive inadequate training, then no matter how much you invest in cybersecurity, you leave the vulnerability to human error.
Many hacking tactics, like phishing attempts and other scams, rely on people clicking on a link or interacting with it to create a system vulnerability. Without proper training on what to look out for, you might open the back door for the hacker through your employees.
How can you protect your small business?
The good news is that, despite the many attractive qualities small businesses hold to cybercriminals, there’s a lot you can do to help combat their attacks. Below, we look at some of the primary steps you can take to ensure your small business has excellent cybersecurity.
Create a data security plan
A data security plan is essential, as it helps identify what areas need protection and the information employees should have access to. Don’t give employees more access to your company’s data than what they need to complete their job.
Further, you should have policies to govern cybersecurity, as it helps create a process that enhances your security and response times. A data security plan also puts into place the requirements of strong passwords, installing firewalls, and so on.
Fequent data backups
Some malware and viruses are designed not to steal your information but to scramble your systems. As such, you should back up your data frequently so you don’t lose it all in an attack. When backing it up, use external devices, or encrypted cloud storage, to keep this information safe.
Invest in cyber insurance
Hackers are getting more creative and invested in hacking businesses, which can lead to significant losses, especially for small businesses. Cyber insurance might cost you extra monthly, but it’ll help you get back on your feet after a cyber attack.
ISP proxies
An excellent way to protect your servers is by using ISP proxies. Static residential proxies use IP addresses that ISPs assign to residential devices. As such, it’s more secure than regular proxy servers.
These ISP proxies conceal your IP address. They also act as intermediaries between you and the internet. Lastly, they help to hide your digital footprint from hackers. Enhancing your cybersecurity is not all it does; it also helps create a smoother network. It can increase your connection speeds and give you unlimited static sessions.
Enhance your cybersecurity
Small businesses look like easy targets to hackers. Hackers often target hundreds of small companies together. By enhancing your cybersecurity when you use ISP proxies, you help prevent your business from falling victim to these hackers. Help protect your business to grow safely using proxies to create stronger cybersecurity.
Photo credit: The feature image is symbolic and has been done by Christopher Isak with Midjourney for TechAcute.
