Business Fundamentals – Secure Your Base
Before going out on the web with your site and associated software, we recommend you get your base secure. Also follow basic precautions like not opening attachments in emails and checking where links in the emails really go. If you’re not sure, type it into your browser manually.
Your first line of defense is a router with a strong password for both router and Wi-Fi. We’ve provided a checklist of other recommended actions below.
SECURITY CHECKLIST
- A hardware firewall (router) protecting all business computers – can be
upgraded to a SMB security device for larger offices - Encrypted Wi-Fi Network with a strong password
Employee Training
- Don’t download or install software
- Limit use of USB drives
- Don’t divulge passwords
The following should be on all business computers…
- Secure Profile Login
- Security Suite
- Should cover all types of malware and optionally include secure web
browsing (software checks for known malware sites) - Subscription valid and virus database updated daily
- Full computer scan at least weekly
- Should cover all types of malware and optionally include secure web
- Updated Software
- A good tool for this is Secunia (http://secunia.com/)
- Data Backup System
The following should also be on all business laptops and smartphones although
they can also be on office computers if susceptible to theft…
- File Encryption
- Microsoft has BitLocker built into its Pro versions of Windows
- Password Software protecting all passwords with a master password – like
LastPass (https://lastpass.com) or RoboForm (https://www.roboform.com/) - Optional: LoJack (https://lojack.absolute.com/en) or other
tracking software - Optional: BIOS password
WEBSITE CHECKLIST
- Domain name (NameCheap)
- Web Host (InMotion Hosting)
- Web Site
- Mail List
- Tracking software
What we recommend is proving your identity in cyberspace. If you do a WHOIS lookup on richbros.com you’ll get the following information:
Domain Name: RICHBROS.COM
Name Server: NS1.RICHBROS.NET
Name Server: NS2.RICHBROS.NET
Creation Date: 15-apr-1998
Expiration Date: 14-apr-2018
In order to have your own custom nameservers you can’t use Shared hosting, you need at least a Reseller account, or a VPS or Private server. But, that lets everyone on the web know that your are a real business.