Top IT Security Fears For Small Businesses In 2020

During the 2020 Covid-19 pandemic, many businesses have had to adapt to an uncertain climate by spending more time online. Workers are now more likely to be based remotely, which means systems are needed to keep data secure. If you're worried about your IT security in the current situation, you're not alone. Let's take a look at some of the top IT security fears as we approach the middle of 2020.

1) Ransomware

Ransomware has been growing in recent years. With an attack of this kind, hackers essentially take your system hostage. They shut down all access until you pay a ransom. A strong cloud storage system, such as Microsoft Azure or SharePoint, can help mitigate against ransomware attacks. In this case, it's essential to be prepared - because when the attack happens, it can be difficult to work around.

2) Shadow IT systems

Shadow IT is a name for IT projects that are managed outside of the supervision of your IT department. These often have harmless intentions - a worker starts a project on their personal computer, for example - but they can be incredibly vulnerable to attack.

This is a particularly worrying problem in 2020, when workers are more likely to be at home using their own devices. Try to combat this with Device as a Service programmes, using IT support from Fuse to ensure that all members of your team have the company-approved, secure equipment they need to work.

3) Malware

Common and well-known, malware is malicious code that you might download inadvertently. Once on your computer, it can exploit vulnerabilities and steal data, or leave you open to other attacks.

Avoid malware by taking care over what you download. Never open attachments from unknown senders, and keep your computer's security programmes regularly updated.

4) Phishing

A phishing email appears to come from a legitimate source, but will direct you to a dummy site from which your data can be harvested. A classic example might be an email that purports to be from your bank, HMRC, or a company like Amazon or eBay, telling you to update your password. When you follow the link, you are actually revealing your password to third party hackers.

Always double check institutional emails, no matter how official they look. Check the address from which they were sent, and try copying and pasting some of the body of the email into Google, to see if anyone has reported it as a scam.

5) Password Attacks

A password attack occurs when hackers crack a user's password, gaining access to your system. Use strong passwords, with a mixture of numbers, symbols, and upper and lower case letters. Do not use words from the dictionary, dates like your anniversary, or family members' names. Definitely avoid reusing passwords across different systems. We recommend using Password Manager software to store all your passwords ensuring suitable strength and ease-of-use.

Of course, Password attacks can also be mitigated through the use of Multi-Factor Authentication and Conditional Access, so even if somebody does get your password, they still can’t log in as you.

Secure Solutions

Hackers grow ever more sophisticated over time, and there are more and more ways to attack vulnerable systems. To safeguard against cyber threats, use an IT services company like Fuse; we can look for vulnerabilities in your IT systems, and provide the support you need to stop attacks from happening.

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