PC Security is your Business!

Below is the fifth article of six in our $100 competition, submitted by Debbie who you can find at http://mice.org/blog/   Good luck to everyone who contributed an article!

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As an owner of a technology small business and online instructor for PC security courses with a national educational provider, I am always shocked – no, horrified is more the word – at the number of individuals and businesses that are clueless about PC and online security fundamentals.

Today, I received a call from a small business owner about a possible security breach to his network. And just last month, while meeting some advertising reps, one woman proceeded to tell me about how her husband’s small contracting business computer had been hacked exposing his client database and their credit card information.

These types of stories are repeated to me daily through clients and students. And to be honest, it terrifies me.

As a security professional, I know what’s out there and what this new breed of hackers and malware writers are capable of doing. While security is a process and not an end result, it is the responsibility of every user of the Internet community. And if you have a business – online or off – the fact that you use a computer that contains business information to access the Internet puts your business and customers at risk.

The fact that many Internet users don’t understand the basics of PC security makes it even more likely that a network attack or computer hack could happen without your knowledge. Honestly, would you know if your personal computer or small business network had been compromised?

PC security is your business and without it, it could cost you your business!

Before you disconnect your high speed Internet connection, let me give you the basic software requirements for every computer; and this applies to regular user and business owner alike. The following recommendations are the bare minimum you should have when using the Internet, conducting banking transactions online, or just checking e-mail.

Antivirus Software – Each computer should have its own Antivirus (AV) software that is regularly updating definitions automatically. While I prefer certain software to others, using something is a must! There are many free AV software programs available if budgets are tight. Start somewhere! Avast , Grisoft’s AVG, and many others are available for a free download. Clam Antivirus is a great open source solution for Mac’s and they now have a PC version.

Business computers that are on a wireless network should have added protection. Even if you are a home-based business using a wireless laptop to work throughout your house, invest in Trend Micro’s Internet Security Pro. Their wireless encryption browser protection will give you added protection should someone in your neighborhood hack your wireless connection.

Firewall Software – No, Windows Firewall is not valid firewall protection – especially if you are running a business!

If you purchase the Trend Micro’s Internet Security Pro, you will have the firewall protection you need. But if not, then you can use Zonelab’s ZoneAlarm Free firewall software with the free AV programs I mentioned above.

If you are a Mac user, the built-in firewall with the Mac OS X is very good and you are well protected!

Anti-malware – You need a minimum of one, but I recommend two anti-spyware/anti-malware programs. I recommend the free Spybot Search and Destroy and Lavasoft’s free Ad-aware.

The reason I recommend the two programs is because each one scans in a different way that compliments the other. So what one misses, the other will catch.

These are the minimum requirements for security software on your computers. If you want to add some additional security feature – just in case – then you might want to include Trend Micro’s free RUBotted and Rootkit Buster.

Protection - You should run a full scan for viruses and malware/spyware every week on business computers. Many of the tools available allow you to schedule scans so they can be done automatically and you don’t have to remember to do them.

Also, make sure that you keep your systems updated and patched for security flaws. Even though I have my auto-update feature disabled, I have a schedule of going to the Windows update website regularly to stay patched with the most important critical updates.

If your small business has employees, make sure to provide them with a written, acceptable use policy for Internet access. And of course, make sure that each user is using an e-mail program that allows your anti-virus to scan incoming and outgoing mail.

Remember, a breach in your network or to any computer system within your business could cost you more in legal fees as well as credit monitoring for your clients. And that’s not mentioning the breach of your clients trust that this will cause.

Security is your business!

Debbie Mahler is owner/founder of MICE Training & Education™ a woman-owned IT company and online PC Security Instructor for a global education provider.

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Tagged as: online protection, pc security