When you think of crime in your small business, the first thing that comes to mind is often theft of products, materials, or equipment. However, this is not the only crime you have to worry about. As a small business, you cannot stay competitive without a website — and with exposure to the internet comes cybercrime. So, the question becomes, how do you protect your business website against these attacks?
Wolex Technologies presents a guide that explains what you need to know.
Use Secure Socket Layer Protection
A secure socket layer (SSL certificates) creates a secure encrypted connection between you and whoever uses your website. This encrypted connection helps prevent would-be hackers from intercepting client data and other relevant information.
Your entire website should use SSL. That way, customer and server side data are never exposed to anyone but you and your clients, no matter what page on the website they are on. You can recognize websites that use SSL because the web address begins with HTTPS.
Watch Out for SQL Injection
SQL has revolutionized the way that forms are used. This has also created issues with security. A SQL injection is when a potential threat uses a SQL form to inject new information that allows them to access client or server side data. When you are creating website forms in SQL, be sure to specify parameters. This creates a highly specific set of rules for the form input and stops hackers from making up their own using your forms.
Hire a Professional
When in doubt, hire the pros at Wolex who understand cybersecurity and who can efficiently set you up for multiple layers of protection. In addition to offering security solutions, Wolex also provides managed IT services, network consulting and wireless infrastructure services.
Always Update
You update your antivirus and other programs on your system, but what about your webserver? Make sure that you sign up for any security updates offered by your host and other website providers. It is always good to look for automatic updates when offered since this will keep you from logging in and manually updating any scripting, cart, and inventory programs.
Use Strong Passwords and Logins
This is a great rule for you, your clients, and your employees on any website or program you have to log into. Keep in mind rotating your password is frustrating and ultimately not beneficial. Using a strong password is an excellent way to make sure sites are secure.
You should have password criteria that help people pick secure passwords. This means adding requirements like symbols, numbers, and capital letters.
Beware of logins like admin, administrator, or client. You want each login to be unique to the user. This helps with tracking data, orders, and users as well as security.
Two-Step Verification
While you are looking into security options, you might want to add two-step verification to the list, particularly if you have sensitive client data or financial information on the web. During two-step verification you fill in your login, password and then the website sends a message to your phone or backup email to verify that it is you.
Learn the Ropes
It may seem extreme, but because you rely so much on your website and technology, it stands to reason that a great way to become familiar with all of the processes is to take coursework in computer science. This will give you the opportunity to fully understand the inner workings of your systems, and it can benefit you as you start to hire IT professionals or continue to work with outside agencies. Online degree programs make it easy for busy SBOs to return to school while still being able to successfully manage their businesses.
Each of these precautions is easy to implement and hard for hackers to bypass. Keeping your website and your client's data secured should be a priority for your small business. When you’re ready to call in the pros, reach out to Wolex Technologies today! (503) 662-2190