Cybersecurity: How To Protect Your Business

Small businesses are increasingly becoming targets for cyber attacks, as they often have valuable information and resources but lack the same level of security as larger companies. It is important for small business owners to take proactive steps to protect their business from cyber threats.

Server Guru IT Support's Cybersecurity experts can conduct a small business cybersecurity risk assessment to point out vulnerabilities in IT systems.

Cybersecurity Stats For 2021-2022

The Australian Cybersecurity Centre's annual cyber threat report provides an overview of key cyber threats impacting Australia, how the ACSC is responding to the threat environment, and crucial advice for Australian individuals and organisations to protect themselves online.

The report shows:

  • During the 2021–22 financial year, over 76,000 cybercrime reports were made via ReportCyber, an increase of nearly 13 per cent from the previous financial year.
  • One cybercrime report is made approximately every 7 minutes, compared to one report every 8 minutes in 2020–21.
  • Cyber security incidents responded to by the ACSC are growing in severity.
  • Cybercrime has a significant impact on organisations of all sizes; in 2021–22 the average loss per report across businesses increased 14 per cent compared to 2020–21.
  • Cybercrime and cyber security incidents remain underreported and the ACSC urges Australian organisations and individuals to report all cybercrimes and cyber security incidents.
  • A rise in the average cost per cybercrime report to over $39,000 for small business, $88,000 for medium business, and over $62,000 for large business
  • 150,000 to 200,000 Small Office/Home Office routers in Australian homes and small businesses vulnerable to compromise

What Can Small Businesses Do To Protect Against Cyber Attacks

One of the first steps in small business cybersecurity is to create a strong password policy. Passwords should be long, complex, and unique, and should be changed regularly. Additionally, two-factor authentication should be used whenever possible to add an extra layer of security.

Another important step is to keep software and systems up-to-date. This includes not only operating systems and software, but also security software such as antivirus and firewall programs. Outdated software can contain vulnerabilities that hackers can exploit, so it is important to stay current with updates and patches.

Small businesses should also be aware of the potential for phishing scams, in which hackers use fake emails or websites to trick users into giving away personal information. Employees should be trained to recognise and avoid phishing attempts, and to report any suspicious emails or websites to IT or management.

It is also important for small businesses to have a disaster recovery plan in place in case of a cyber attack. This includes regular backups of important data and a plan for how to quickly and effectively respond to a security breach.

Small businesses owners are recommended to get an IT security company to conduct a small business cybersecurity risk assessment to identify security weaknesses in IT systems.

What Is A Small Business Cybersecurity Risk Assessment

A small business cybersecurity risk assessment is a process of evaluating the potential risks and vulnerabilities that a small business may face from cyber threats. The assessment typically includes identifying the types of sensitive data and systems that the business has, determining the likelihood and potential impact of different threats, and developing strategies to mitigate or prevent those risks.

During a risk assessment, a small business may take several steps, such as:

  • Identifying and inventorying all of the business's assets, including hardware, software, and sensitive data
  • Evaluating the current security controls and procedures in place, such as firewalls, antivirus software, and access controls
  • Assessing the potential vulnerabilities of the business's systems and data, such as outdated software or lack of encryption
  • Identifying the potential threats to the business, such as hacking, phishing, and malware
  • Determining the likelihood and potential impact of each identified risk
  • Developing and implementing a plan to mitigate or prevent identified risks.

The risk assessment process is an ongoing one, as the cyber threats and vulnerabilities are constantly changing and evolving. It is important for small businesses to review and update their risk assessments on a regular basis to ensure they are always aware of the potential risks they are facing, and to have a plan in place to mitigate or prevent them.

How To Backup Gmail Emails To Your Computer

Did you know that Google's free Gmail service does not guarantee safeguard of your email data. At any point can your data become corrupt or be lost. I have seen and read about cases where a Gmail user's emails disappeared right in front of their eyes.

Because Gmail is a free service there is no support and if your email data is gone it will stay gone. Unless... you have a backup.

Backing up Gmail emails should be a regular focus to ensure data recoverability in case of loss, corruption or malware infection.

Most Gmail users that have a Gmail account will eventually run in to the 15GB limit imposed. Others may already have reached this limit and will be faced with a message from Gmail " Gmail is out of space".  One you reach this limit your email no longer receive new messages.

A simple way to clear out space is to delete old messages but, this may not be an option for you. Lets look at another option, making a backup of the Gmail emails on to a computer.

The backup data includes email messages and attachments. To see what else is included follow the link to Gmail's article on exporting your data from Gmail.

How To Download Gmail Emails To A Computer

Head over to Google's download your data page.

Select the checkbox next to "Mail" then click the "next step" button.

Choose a destination to receive the download, in this case I chose "send download link via email"

Choose export size as 50GB then click "create export".

Now just wait until the export has been created and the link is emailed, then proceed to click the link to download the Gmail backup to your computer.

Remember to place the downloaded file in a safe place as anyone can now use this file to view your emails.

How To Download A Youtube Video To A Computer For Free

There might be a time that you would like to download a video from YouTube to view later while offline but unfortunately YouTube does not allow saving or downloading videos directly. In order to download a YouTube video we would either need to install software that can download the video or make use of an online service. This article covers downloading a YouTube video without using software or without paying anyone a fee.

How To Download Youtube Videos For Free Without Software

The simplest way to download a YouTube video is to go to the YouTube video that you prefer to download, then insert "SS" in the url before the YouTube part.

Example:

I want to download this YouTube video to my computer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NBgOG1zzLjw&ab_channel=ServerGuru

Insert SS after the www. bit but before the "youtube" bit like this: https://www.SSyoutube.com/watch?v=NBgOG1zzLjw&ab_channel=ServerGuru

Then hit enter.

Your web browser will automatically be redirected to "savefrom.net"

Now, click on the "Download MP4" button next to the video. Do not click any other button.

*You DO NOT need to install the Savefrom.net helper extension.

The YouTube video will now download. If it doesn't and the video you chose to download plays instead, then click on the three dots to the right, then click on "download".

Is It Legal To Download Videos From YouTube?

Just incase you were wondering 🙂 No, it is not legal. YouTube terms of service state the following:

"Permissions and Restrictions
You may access and use the Service as made available to you, as long as you comply with this Agreement and applicable law. You may view or listen to Content for your personal, non-commercial use. You may also show YouTube videos through the embeddable YouTube player.

The following restrictions apply to your use of the Service. You are not allowed to:

access, reproduce, download, distribute, transmit, broadcast, display, sell, license, alter, modify or otherwise use any part of the Service or any Content except: (a) as expressly authorized by the Service; or (b) with prior written permission from YouTube and, if applicable, the respective rights holders;
circumvent, disable, fraudulently engage with, or otherwise interfere with any part of the Service (or attempt to do any of these things), including security-related features or features that (a) prevent or restrict the copying or other use of Content or (b) limit the use of the Service or Content."

Download YouTube Videos The Legit Way

YouTube doesn't allow downloading videos for free unless you have a YouTube Premium account, this allows the account holder to download videos for offline watching. This is the only legal way.