Companies of all sizes use the internet today to perform their daily tasks and often make common mistakes. Therefore, all should be concerned about the functionality and security of the browsing experience used by their employees.
Many institutions take various precautions to ensure that the internet is fast and secure in the office, so as not to interfere with the productivity of professionals. However, small businesses generally do not pay as much attention to this issue, believing that they are not at risk.
But that's a big mistake! They are also exposed and, for that reason, must protect themselves just like large and medium-sized companies. If you own or work in a small office, this post is for you.
Next, we'll show you 6 common mistakes small businesses make and how to correct them so you can protect your business!
Common mistakes small businesses make
1. Using weak passwords
It may sound like a joke, but the first mistake, and the most common on our list, is using weak passwords. They are easily discovered by hackers and, consequently, office computers are also easily compromised.
Therefore, create strong and different passwords for each login. To avoid forgetting or confusing all the passwords, simply use software that records and manages them all for the company.
Furthermore, sharing passwords is another serious mistake. In some cases, company professionals don't do it maliciously; it's simply to make their work easier. However, this can cause problems later, such as employees hacking into each other's computers.
The main solution in this case is to talk to the company's professionals and reinforce the importance of not sharing company passwords.
2. Avoid backups
Another common mistake is avoiding backups because people believe they aren't that important to the company. They are essential, as it's impossible to predict when office equipment might stop working, be hacked, or when the power will go out.
If this happens and the company doesn't have a backup, all of the institution's data could be lost. Therefore, backups must be performed in companies of all sizes so that they are not harmed in case of an unforeseen event.
The solution to this error is to perform frequent backups so that the company's most recent documents are not lost in an incident. It is also recommended that the company have backups both online (in the cloud) and offline.
3. Not training employees
Having professionals who don't know exactly how to use the network securely might seem harmless, but in reality, it can cause serious problems for the institution.
If you have a great security network on your equipment, but you don't teach your employees to recognize traps, it won't be enough to protect your system. This is because professionals can easily fall victim to threats by clicking on an untrusted link, for example, or by opening attachments without checking the email sender.
Therefore, it is essential to raise awareness among your employees and teach them how to navigate the internet safely. To do this, you should always remember to train professionals as soon as they start working at the company. If there are long-term employees who have not been trained, hold a meeting and teach them.
Furthermore, if there are updates that change any rules that have been passed on to professionals, it is essential to inform them about the changes. This way, they will continue to use the equipment correctly.
4. Do not perform system updates.
Updates are frequent in browsers, systems, and programs, but it's very common for people to postpone these updates as long as possible. This is also a mistake, as the upgrades offered are usually much better than the old versions.
Ultimately, the purpose of an update is really to bring improvements, where bugs and problems have been fixed. Furthermore, updates generally bring new features that help with data security and facilitate tasks that were previously more complex.
To fix this error, it's quite simple: just stop ignoring updates for your programs and systems and install them as soon as they become available. Also, don't forget to inform your colleagues so they can do the same on their computers.
5. Do not use the cloud.
Small businesses often use tools installed on office computers instead of using cloud-based tools. However, this can slow down professionals' work, as they can only access data and systems when they are in the office.
Therefore, this situation needs to be fixed. To do this, you need to give the cloud a chance and see how using services from it can be positive for your company.
In addition to facilitating access to tools, using the cloud also eliminates the need to maintain heavy software on your machines. This is a positive point, as it frees up space on computers, allowing them to operate with less strain.
6. Not protecting yourself with antivirus software.
This is undoubtedly the biggest mistake small businesses make. As mentioned, offices of all sizes are susceptible to having their systems compromised by viruses and other malware. Therefore, everyone needs to protect themselves against these threats, because they can cause serious damage to the institution, such as stealing company data or damaging machines.
The best solution to this problem is to acquire a quality antivirus program, one that truly protects your equipment. Therefore, research thoroughly, see which one offers the most benefits for your company and fits within your budget.
Although they may seem irrelevant, the 6 most common mistakes small businesses make can cause them big problems. That's why it's so important to fix them. And the solutions are simple, aren't they?
Therefore, don't delay in putting them into practice in your office.
If you want to stay up-to-date and learn more about how to protect your company's data, be sure to visit our blog !
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