HONOLULU (KHON2) — October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, and the Better Business Bureau says it’s not just big corporations that need to be cautious. Everyday consumers and small businesses are just as much at risk, and hackers are counting on us to let our guard down.
BBB’s Cameron Nakashima said small businesses are prime targets because they often have fewer protections in place than large corporations. Many collect sensitive customer information — like financial or health data — that hackers see as “digital cash.”
Nakashima said even very small companies should put measures in place to protect client information from hackers, this includes training employees and talking to a cybersecurity insurance specialist to prepare for and guard against cyber attacks that could expose client information.
Here’s something most people don’t do that could help them be safer online, according to Nakashima:
· First, check your digital vulnerabilities. Software that needs updating, unsecured Wi-Fi or even some smart devices on your network can all act as back doors for hackers. Keep your devices updated and make a simple checklist of potential weak points to check regularly.
· Second, strengthen your logins. Use passphrases instead of short passwords, always enable multi-factor authentication, and consider tools like password managers or VPNs. The harder you are to hack, the safer you’ll be.
· Third, know who you’re doing business with. Read a company’s privacy policy to see how your data will be used and check their reputation. BBB makes this easy with free access to check a business’s reviews, complaint history, ratings and accreditation.