Why This Matters
Privacy and security are key to keeping you and your customers’ information safe from cyber thieves, malware and other fraudulent activity on your website and your computer. Customers want to know that their information is safe and protected while they do business or shopping online.This is Canada’s Digital Charter. You also want to know your information is safe, that is why it’s important to implement best practices and software (password protection, anti-virus/antivirus) that searches for other threats like malware. For specific information about cyber security, click here.
Other examples of why privacy and security are important:
- Keep bad actors from accessing sensitive information
- Only allowing correct individuals to post onto social media accounts
- Keep business account separate from personal account to avoid misunderstandings
- Removes easy catfishing attempts
- Prevents site downtime
- Prevents man-in-the-middle attacks
- Password managers for complex passwords
- Informs best practices for password use (ie. if one account is compromised then only that account is)
Resources
Website Security for Small Businesses – For any site owner, website is the primary channel to interact with their customers. Hence, having a secure website not only assures trust but also gives a sense of secure browsing to the customers whereas an unsecured connection is a threat to your official business relationships.
External Website Security [Best Practices for Small Businesses] – Protect Your Online Presence with External Website Security.
8 Cyber Security Best Practices For Your Small To Medium-Size Business – It’s easy to think that because you have a small business, cybercriminals will pass over attacking your company. The “not much to steal” mindset is common with small business owners in regards to cyber security, but that thinking is out of sync with today’s cyber security best practices.
Best Anti-virus software for Windows – PC Mag’s recommendations for best anti-virus software for Windows.
Best Anti-Virus software for MAC -PC Mag’s recommendations for best anti-virus software for MAC.
Recommendations
Cloudflare – The Web Performance & Security Company | Cloudflare – A platform that provides protection and security for your website against spam and other kinds of digital attacks.
LastPass: #1 Password Manager & Vault App, Enterprise SSO & MFA – A browser extension that adds password protection to your computer.
Malware Bytes – Malwarebytes is an anti-malware software for Microsoft Windows, macOS, Chrome OS, Android, and iOS that finds and removes malware. They also have a free scan option as well.
TrendMicro – A global cybersecurity leader, helps make the world safe for exchanging digital information. They have been around for years and have a free virus scan software option called Housecall.
Wordfence: WordPress Security Plugin – A plugin that is a firewall and malware scanner for your WordPress website.
Website Security | Get Website Protection You Can Count On – Security software provided through GoDaddy.