There’s always more to a country than meets the eye, and for business owners in Canada, it looks like Cybercrime is on the rise because of the lack of security measures being taken. Even though it’s not uncommon for businesses to get hacked, Canadian companies and websites somehow don’t seem to be getting the message.
With a weak security system, a blossoming economy, and booming business, business owners in Canada need to start getting a little more serious. In 2018, Canada ranked third in countries with the most cyber-attacks globally.
Another 2018 survey also concluded that almost 71% of Canadian businesses had no security patching policy, making them highly vulnerable to cyberattacks. Another key finding was that at least 40% of the study respondents had faced a cyberattack incident in 2018.
Additionally, this year an agency reported that there were just around 235 ransomware attacks targeted towards Canadian businesses. Given the numbers, upgrading online security has become a necessity. Luckily, many tools, like firewalls and Canada VPN, can get the job done efficiently, quickly, and effectively. Let’s talk about some of them.
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How can Canadian business owners protect their companies?
Firewall
A firewall can be considered the first line of defense against online threats. These mainly monitor your network and all the connected devices, making sure to keep outside interceptors out.
If a firewall detects any suspicious activity, the admin systems are immediately alerted to mitigate the threat. Super crucial for official networks, especially small businesses, a super simple tool could save you from irrecoverable damage worth millions.
But that’s not all, though. Not only do these tools monitor your online traffic, but they also help stop virus and malware attacks. Since these control your system’s entry points, there’s a way lesser chance of you getting caught in a virus or a malware attack.
Furthermore, firewalls also promote privacy and stop spyware attacks by acting as a blockade against these programs, making sure that your data is safe and secure from third parties.
Security patches
Technology is constantly evolving, but so are ways to exploit it. As more secure systems are introduced, hackers and cybercriminals keep coming out with new and inventive ways to get across them.
This is why software and systems developers keep releasing new security patches that regularly update existing security features to keep users and customers safe and secure. All Canadian businesses need to make sure that they are regularly updating their software with security patches to avoid falling into any traps.
This will make sure that your data and client data is safe. It will also make sure that your systems and network are robust, making it easier and safer for employees and other stakeholders to interact with accounts and files from a distance.
Canada VPN
VPNs are a one-stop-shop security solution. These offer double-layered security, making them one of the best tools for small businesses to invest in. VPNs empower users to connect with the internet via a remote and secure server proxy. Today, most of the providers are offering free trials and you can download VPN without any charges so that you test them before making the actual purchase.
This makes users anonymous online, ensuring that third parties can neither spy on their browsing behavior nor track it or trace it back to the user—essentially letting users have privacy online.
Additionally, VPNs also encrypt internet traffic. Even if an interceptor or a spy manages to break into the communication, they will not understand what information is being exchanged.
If you’re a small to mid-sized business, it’s best to opt for a VPN that offers up to 256-bit AES military-grade encryption to ensure that you’re covered from all corners. Furthermore, look for more advanced security features like a kill switch and split tunneling.
Antivirus and Antimalware
Antivirus software is special tools designed to protect your systems from viruses. On the other hand, antimalware provides your systems with an extra level of protection against malware codes and programs that may be installed in your computer without your knowledge.
A great way to ensure that your business is safe is to have both the programs installed and regularly updated. These can detect breaches and even remove viruses and malware from the system.
Strong passwords
Its common knowledge that strong passwords are more difficult to crack. It’s recommended to use both uppercase and lower-case letters along with numbers and special characters to make your password more secure.
Another important password rule is not to use the same password for all your accounts. Instead, use different ones so that the others are safe even if one gets hacked. We understand that it can be hard to remember so many different passwords, which is why it’s always good practice also to use a password manager.
