10 Cyber Security Myths for Small and Medium Size Businesses Debunked

a hand touching the word cyber security

By 2021, the annual global cybercrime damage is expected to reach $6 trillion. The average cost of a cyber security breach for SMBs is $117,000. That’s why many companies all over the world are struggling to maintain high levels of cybersecurity.

Due to the increase in activity related to this issue, false information is starting to appear. Let’s debunk the 10 most common SMB cybersecurity myths.

Myth #1: Cybersecurity is solely a technological issue

Truth: Besides beefing up antivirus software, cybersecurity involves many other actions, including employee training and high-quality IT support as well as clear procedures and guidelines. Without proper awareness, cybersecurity technologies are mostly useless.

Myth #2: Cybersecurity requires a formidable investment

Truth: The majority of the effort required to protect your data needs a reasonable investment. They include:

  • Training employees
  • Using a VPN to work from remote locations
  • Installing software updates in a timely manner
  • Consulting IT experts
  • Planning for disaster recovery
  • Creating proper authentication steps
  • Identifying security information
  • Setting up remote work guidelines.

Any investment you make in cybersecurity is many times smaller than the costs of data breach recovery.

Myth #3: SMBs are less likely to be hit by a cyberattack

Truth: According to Microsoft, about 43% of cyberattacks are aimed at small businesses.

With only a small percentage of SMBs being ready to defend themselves against an attack, cybercriminals target them consistently. Large enterprises tend to invest more time, money, and effort in cybersecurity, thus suffering fewer consequences.

Cyber Security Myth #4: My company doesn’t have anything cybercriminals may want

Truth: Even if you don’t deal with sensitive information, your company can still become a target of ransomware or DDoS attack.

It’s important to know that some cybercriminals assault small companies for fun or to train before a larger attack. Meanwhile, personal information about you and your employees may be a sufficient catch for some hackers.  

Myth#5: Cybercrimes only need attention when they occur

Truth: When a cybercrime occurs, it may be too late to fix the problem without substantial losses. It’s often hard to detect the crime before it causes irreversible damage. About 60% of small businesses stopped functioning 6 months after a cyberattack.  

The key to fighting the majority of cybercrimes is preventive measures.

Myth #6: If you have a firewall, you are safe against cyberattacks

Truth: Firewall and antivirus software are small parts of the big picture. Without a solid cybersecurity plan, you can’t prevent cyberattacks or react to them in a timely and efficient manner.

Cyber Security Myth#7: It’s an IT issue

Truth: Many SMBs believe that the IT department is responsible for cybersecurity. While your IT team players are likely to have an understanding of cybersecurity issues, they may not have sufficient knowledge and training. If you want to set up proper preventive measures and implement security controls, you need an expert’s assistance.

Myth#8: SMBs and enterprises face different cybersecurity threats

Truth: According to Cisco, the types of attacks that SMBs and large enterprises experience are similar. Companies of all sizes face the same amount of downtime related to cyberattacks. However, larger enterprises often have higher recovery potential due to better resources.

Myth #9: SMB leaders don’t take cybersecurity seriously

Truth: Cisco survey shows that 90% of IT decision-makers have knowledge of the company’s data privacy programs.

Cyber Security Myth #10: By taking the right approach, SMBs can be 100% protected

Truth: No matter how excellent cybersecurity preventive measures are or how much money you invest in them, the possibility of an attack exists. That’s why it’s imperative to have a disaster recovery plan.

Implementing security measures and preparing for cyberattacks is essential to SMBs’ stability. To learn more about strengthening your cybersecurity, please contact us today.

8 Essential Tips for Working From Home During Coronavirus Outbreak

a person sitting at a table using a laptop computer

In response to the Coronavirus pandemic, most people are only left with the option of working from home. This is because the virus is easily spread through close contact with someone who already has the virus. If you have found yourself in such a situation, however, it is still very possible to be productive and maintain a balance between work and home. Here are some tips:

1. Act like you are going to work

Changing your pajamas and dressing as if you are going to work is a very crucial thing when you are working from home. This, in a big way, draws the line between being at home and work. Take a shower, apply makeup, style your hair, iron that suit, brush your teeth, and get ready to begin work. It would have looked so unprofessional and weird if, for instance, you received a video call from work, and you were just dressed in pajamas. It is, therefore, essential to take care of your appearance every morning.

 2. Create a working from home space/ office

When working from home, it is vital to keep your home life and work separate. This can be quite hard if, for instance, you have children at home. To avoid all sorts of distractions, ensure that you set up a working space where you will give your work the attention it demands. Try to make sure that the area is comfortable for you to work from there for several hours.

3. Clearly define working hours and stick to them

Working from home can lead to shorter or longer hours of working as compared to the office. Overworking can easily make you have burnout while under-working reduces your productivity. To avoid falling victim to all this, establish working hours and keenly stick to them. 

4. Establish transitions into as well as out of work

Commuting to and from the office is not just a simple and regular thing to do. This is because it goes a long way in preparing your mind and whole self for work and home, respectively. When you are working from home, it is also very crucial to engage yourself in activities that prepare your mind that it is time to work or to stop working. For instance, you can listen to some music to relax your mind for work or clear your mind after work. 

5. Avoid distractions when working from home

One of the biggest challenges people experience from home is distractions. Do not allow your mind to be bothered by the trending news since this hinders your productivity. Try to make sure that you are also not distracted by family members. Let them know that when it is time for work, they should give you enough space to work effectively.

6. Over-communicate

Working remotely requires you to communicate frequently, mostly when it is your first time doing that. Many times you may encounter challenges that you are not sure how to handle. Get in touch with your manager as well as your collaborative workmates. Let them know what your schedule is and what you plan to achieve at the end of every day. Get to know how they are working and coping from home also. This might give you a challenge and modify how you are working. 

7. Do not fall into the working from home isolation trap

Working from home may get lonely and affect your mental health. Try to counter that as much as you can. You can do that by video chatting or calling your coworkers and having the normal talks you usually have in the office. For instance, you can check out how their night or weekend was if you are used to that. 

8. Set break schedules

During the normal working hours in the office, there are breaks that you are given at specific times. Stick to that even while at home. If, for instance, you are used to having lunch with your colleagues, you can do that with your family before getting back to work. This gives you more time to bond with your family and be effective at work at the same time. 

Working from home, therefore, can be as effective and productive as working from the office. To learn more about this, feel free to contact us today. 

8 Ways to Power Through the Task You Hate

a man squatting down while holding a barbell

Doing things you love is easy; it is the things you hate that test your mettle. And life and business are full of jobs you flat-out hate. How you handle a task like this will determine how far you go as an individual.  

But there is a silver lining in this cloud of jobs you hate. There are ways you can power through those jobs, and below are a few you can consider.

1. Alternate Between Tasks you Hate and Those You Love

A lack of motivation characterizes the tasks we hate. There is no drive to work or power through boring jobs. As such, the trick is to bring back the excitement. Find ways to stay motivated.

One way that stands out is to alternate between tasks you love and those you hate. This breaks the monotony of having to work on hateful tasks for extended periods.

The balance between good and bad experiences is way better compared to a situation where you are being pounded with tasks you don’t like.

2. Take the Path of Least Resistance

Just because you do something does not mean you have to be flawless. Take the path of least resistance when working on boring jobs. Apply the minimum effective dose; that is, the least effort while still being productive.

3. Dedicate Time

If you are having trouble working on a particular job, then block some time to work on that job and only that job.

By dedicating time in advance, you prepare yourself mentally for the mind-numbing tasks. You are also more driven to complete other pressing tasks earlier.

4. Break the Task Down

With baby steps, you can move a mountain. The same applies to a tedious job that seems impossible.

Break the task down so that it is approachable and more doable. Breaking down the tasks reduces our tendency to procrastinate as we know where to start. Also, the smaller tasks might not be as dull as the larger job.

5. Swap “I Have To” for “I Choose To”

By choosing to work on those boring assignments, you trick your mind into accepting them, and suddenly, they are not that tedious.

When you no longer have to work on humdrum tasks but choose to do them, you are excited about the jobs. A change of perspective does a lot.

6. Bribe Yourself

When you have to do something you dread, you can ease the pain by promising yourself something better immediately after. You realign your perspective. You focus more on what comes after the task, over the agony of the task.

By scheduling fun things, between those nightmare errands, you find that you will not be putting them off for days on end.

7. Focus on What You Gain From the Task

Creating a website might not be a riveting experience, but nothing beats the experience of having an online presence.

You can also choose to focus on the growth you gain from the task. For instance, writing a pitch is tedious, but you learn essential skills. You learn how to communicate better, how to organize an important document, and how to fact-check.

8. Hire Someone to Do the Task

Finally, you can outsource the job. If your business is not your primary focus, you can get experts in the niche to help. This could be true for IT tasks that, though necessary, are not at the core of your business. Hire specialists to handle technical tasks while you do what you do best.

Working on tasks you dislike is tedious; working on those you hate is aggravating. The least you can do is ease the burden using the tricks above. If you choose to outsource, remember to hire experts.

6 Helpful Tips When You are Stuck with Tasks You Hate

a man hanging from the side of a washing machine

The topic of productivity is often discussed, especially in the context of business. One of the paramount issues that stand in the face of being effective in our tasks is whether we love doing them or not. Usually, in a company, certain jobs are absolutely crucial but not inspiring at all. So, how do you ensure that the tasks you hate are done?

Well, it is a problem that can be conquered with a bit of pre-planning and a deliberate change in mindset. In this article, we discuss 6 effective ways that can help you tackle this problem efficiently.

1. Start with a Schedule

There is a reason why people swear by scheduling and goal setting. Having a plan of action in place and knowing that there is something to look forward to once the unpleasant tasks are taken care of, is a sure-shot way to trick your brain out of procrastination. Set goals every day and evaluate yourself against them to keep up. Soon, this will become a habit and the prospect of carrying out boring or unpleasant jobs will not be so daunting anymore.

2. Move Between Tasks You Love and Hate Doing

While this may sound too simple when you alternate between tasks that you love and hate doing, you can find the necessary motivation to tide over your entire schedule. The idea is to balance the good and bad in such a way that you do not get bored while tackling the not-so-favorable jobs.

3. Keep the Bigger Picture in Mind

In the world of business, it is important to never lose sight of the bigger picture. Hence, whenever you feel unenthusiastic about certain tasks, focus on the final outcomes and the reason why these jobs need to be done. There can be several factors like rewards and recognition, bonuses, productivity gains, and business bottom line.

4. Break Down Tasks

Often we bite more than we can chew and that becomes the root of many troubles. Thus, when it comes to doing a large chunk of an uninspiring task, breaking it into smaller steps and handling them individually helps. Another effective strategy to implement when feeling overwhelmed by unfinished jobs is to take a step back and regroup. Sometimes a change of approach is necessary to finish the task successfully.

5. Take Breaks

Even the best of us cannot function constantly and always be productive. Taking time for breaks is essential. It not only helps our brains to recoup but also relaxes us enough to tackle a new problem with renewed vigor and energy. This is why break times are intentionally scheduled in many workplaces, especially on shop floors and factories. 

6. Pat Yourself on the Back

Never forget to give yourself credit where it is due. Waiting for others to recognize your efforts for a job well done is not always the best thing to do. Sometimes, it is necessary to reward yourself when you know that you have achieved something worthwhile at work. Think of treats that you will enjoy like a night out or a movie or even a new book and indulge in the same without guilt.

Many a time we forget that there are tasks that we cannot complete alone. It is absolutely essential to understand when to ask for help from colleagues and team members. Another viable option is to hire the help of professionals to take care of otherwise energy-draining jobs. This not only saves you from mind-numbing tasks but also increases overall productivity. Your time and resources can be freed up to solve more important problems while professionals do the job for you.

Auto Complete Passwords: Safe or Dangerous?

a computer screen with green and black numbers on it

Auto-complete for passwords is a feature commonly used on browsers today. It is a mechanism that allows usernames and passwords to be automatically entered into a web form. Only around 20% of US internet users have unique passwords for each online account. Many people have to manage dozens of different passwords and see auto-fill as a convenient feature that cuts down on time. Others use a dedicated application to manage passwords outside of the browser. However, this is much more dangerous than many realize.

A hacker can easily trick the browser or program by placing an invisible form on a compromised web page. 

MARKETERS TRACK TOO

Surprisingly, this is not only done by hackers. Digital marketers often deploy this trick to track what websites users visit. Both AdThink and OnAudience are known to do this. Their goal is gathering data for marketing purposes, but IT professionals warn it would not be hard for them to steal passwords as well. 

ONE EASY AND EFFECTIVE WAY TO IMPROVE SECURITY

It is quite simple to disable auto-complete in a browser. Most browsers allow easy access to privacy settings and users can disable auto-complete within a minute. Below are instructions to accomplish this. 

For Chrome users

Go to the Settings window, go to Advanced, and then disable under Manage Passwords.

For Firefox users

Go to the Options window, click the Privacy tab, then under the History heading, select “Firefox will: Use custom settings for history.” In the new window, disable “Remember search and form history.”

For Safari users

Open the Preferences window, select the Auto-fill tab, and turn off all features related to usernames and passwords.

 Unfortunately, this is just one way hackers can get your information. Modern organizations with advanced technology require more managed measures against hackers.  

Contact us today at BluWater Tech for around-the-clock security assistance.