Technological development in the last decade or so has been monumentally impressive. Today, with technologies such as machine learning and augmented reality making a common appearance across various business applications, there are many ways for managed service providers to ensure small business IT support by forging strong security walls around their IT infrastructure and networks.
Unfortunately, on the other side of the technological coin are cybercriminals. The technologies that support better security measures also increase the technology security risks by arming criminals with the technology they need to attack systems.
Here are some of the most common technology security risks your business should prioritize mitigating to prevent an incident that costs your business:
Phishing
Phishing, in any context, refers to when a person tries to fish for information or exploit another person by tricking them. This type of cybercrime falls under the umbrella of social engineering. When it comes to your business, phishing scams can happen through emails or spam calls where the criminal tries to obtain sensitive information such as credit card information, social security numbers, passwords, etc.
Malware
Malware is a portmanteau of the words malicious software. The term refers to software programs that are created and disseminated with harmful intent. Viruses and ransomware are two types of malware that infect the body, coming through infected USB drives, corrupt documents, spam emails, infected websites, etc.
Pop-Ups
Pop-ups have annoyed many internet users, even when legitimate. However, there are some pop-ups that spring on unsafe websites that may be infected with viruses or malware. Some of these popups say that your computer is infected or that they are your service provider, asking for information you shouldn’t be sharing online. Some smart cybercriminals design harmless-looking popups that can trick the user into clicking them, which can infect and corrupt files on the computer.
Unsafe WiFi Networks
The recent pandemic had millions of people working from home, using unsafe devices and WiFi networks. This not only increases technological security risks for the user but it also exposes the business’s internal network to potential cyberattacks.
This happens when users with unsafe WiFi networks access their company’s network through unsecured servers. Hackers can use these networks and servers to access gain access to the business’s databases.
All of these technology security risks are prevalent and can impact businesses in every industry. It’s critical for your business’s protection that you employ small business IT help provided by a managed services provider such a NuMSP.
Contact us today to find out how we can help your business take the steps necessary for its protection.