There are a lot of ways your business can go under. You may discover that there isn’t any demand for your idea or it may simply become too expensive to operate.
Hackers also have the potential to ruin your business from the outside.
Don’t close your doors because someone else ruined an otherwise great business idea! All you need is the right measures to play safe.
Know exactly how hackers can ruin your business so you can choose the right DNS security solution, antivirus software, and other security systems.
Stealing Customer Information
It’s a big deal when customer information is stolen from company systems. That’s because we trust the companies we purchase products and services to keep our information secure. It can be a huge hit to customer trust, which can reduce sales, increasing the chances of the business closing as customers look to other companies.
There have been some big and serious data breaches, but a breach doesn’t have to be national newsworthy in order for it to affect your business in a negative way.
If customer information is compromised, it’s your duty to tell your customers. Outline the severity of the breach and what you did to remedy the problem. The only thing worse than experiencing a data breach and losing some customers is not telling them what happened, and them learning that their information was compromised by a third party. Your business will most certainly fail if you try to keep it a secret.
Stealing Company Information
Not only can hackers steal customer information, but they can also steal company information, and there’s a lot of information to steal!
Your startup ideas are important to protect, as you don’t want someone else beating you to the punch by making your ideas a reality before you do, but when company information is compromised, hackers can also learn other important information about your business.
Hackers can discover how your company operates, who you work with, and who works for you. A hacker can sell your information to anyone who wants it, and other businesses can use this information to gain an unfair advantage in your industry.
Gaining Control of Your Website
Having a website is extremely important in today’s digital world. People are much more likely to check out your website before they give you a call or stop into the store, and it’s a way for people to discover your brand when they didn’t know you existed before.
It can be devastating if something happens to your website, especially if your website is down for days or weeks because a hacker disabled it.
Hackers also have the potential to change things about your website, which can be even more insidious, because you probably don’t check every detail of your website every day. For example, they can alter content that is linked to your site to send visitors to another site. They also have the potential to ruin your SEO efforts so no one can find your website, even if they search for it on Google.
Infect Your Computers with Viruses
There have been some serious computer viruses that have crippled personal accounts and businesses alike. A few of the viruses, and what they did, include:
- Stuxnet was designed to control industrial systems to self-destruct.
- PoisonIvy allows computers to be remotely controlled.
- agent.btz temporarily forced the Pentagon to ban thumb drives.
- Zeus is a malware kit that targets personal information.
Every time one virus is conquered, a new one pops up in its place, so it is extremely important to protect your computer. That means using the right programs, but it also means making sure no one in the office clicks on links in questionable emails.
Learning, Using, and Changing Passwords
There are many ways for a hacker to access your system, but one of the simplest, and most effective, is to use your existing passwords. It enables them to access your system whenever they want, allowing them to monitor your data, and they even have the potential to change your passwords, effectively locking you out of your own systems.
It is important to change your passwords on a regular basis. Never use the same password for multiple programs, and use combinations of letters, numbers, and symbols that are impossible to guess. Enabling two-factor identification can also stop hackers in their tracks.
Running a business is challenging enough already. Don’t make it even harder by dealing with a hacker when you have more important things to do! Knowing how hackers can destroy your systems is the first step towards making sure you have the right systems in place to prevent an attack.