5 Steps to Improve Internet Security

Many small and medium-sized enterprises (SME), and e-commerce entrepreneurs are in the notion that they are at risk of Internet crime. It is paramount that your customers feel safe and confident in providing you their personal information. A SSL Certificate is a trusted way to ensure such security.

SMEs at Risk

  • With many larger companies out there, SMEs do not find any reason as to why would anyone target them.
  • But the existing fact is that SMEs most often play as easy targets for hackers, because of the lack of adequate security measures that businesses usually have with an entire IT department. According to a recent survey, it was found that nearly 70 percent of SMEs targeted by cybercrimes ran out of business a year later.

Steps to Enhance Online Security

Beware of Hackers

  • Hackers make use of bogus emails, text, messages, and websites to impersonate real companies and request for your details to update or update your online account. This technique is called ‘Phishing.’ Once they are possession of your credit/debit card details or banking information, they turn you bankrupt.
  • Never open emails or attachments from strangers, and even from people you know, unless you are sure about them.
  • Websites are the most vulnerable points of hacking, so if you not sure about a site’s legitimacy, Google it to check its reputation.
  • A SSL certificate keeps your online interactions private despite their travel across the public Internet. SSL is a code on your server. When a browser connects to your secured site, the SSL certificate enables an encoded connection.

Use Strong Passwords

  • Strong password protection is essential but it is indeed a surprise that many SMEs use simple passwords like “admin” or “company name” on their PCs.
  • Using different passwords for every active Internet account and ensuring that they are strong is vital for SMEs to protect their businesses.
  • According to IT experts, if a password is a dictionary then the corresponding account can be hacked in less than 30 seconds.
  • Use a random combination of alphabets, numerals, and special characters to safeguard online accounts.

Get an Antivirus Software

  • An obvious, but a surprisingly ignored tip by SMEs. Ensure your antivirus program is updated regularly.
  • A constantly updated antivirus software combats hacker’s ever-changing tactics. But if you fail to update your software, then it is of no value at all.

Back-up Your Data

  • Unlike large businesses, SMEs have a comparatively small customer base. And if they happen to lose all their customer data, what is their chance of survival? This is precisely why you must back up all important data, in an event anything should happen.
  • You can do it via the Cloud where your information is sent through the Web to an off-site storage facility of a renowned cloud provider. That way, if your PC is stolen or infected with malware, your data is still secure.

Know your Dealers

  • Before going ahead with a business venture, know the person your are dealing with, as it is vital for reputable and safe business.
  • This is where SSL inspires confidence and trust in your site and your business.
  • When an SSL Certificate is requested, the service provider validates your information and issues a unique certificate to you. This established your identity to users who visit your secured website. As a subsequent result, your customers will know that the website they are interacting with is legitimate and safe.
  • SSL certificates have secured thousands of SME websites across the globe. Quick enrollment and expert tech support help your business up fast and running. The above pointers make a good guide for picking the right type of SSL certificate that would suffice your business.