Viruses vs. your company’s network

By Henry Brown
By their very nature, entrepreneurs are strong leaders who are comfortable with risk taking. But that doesn’t mean that they are completely free of worries, especially when it comes to computer viruses. In fact, computer viruses are probably one of the few things that strike fear into the hearts most entrepreneurs. That’s because these IT threats can very easily wipe a whole network’s stored data and files. And if some of that data was sensitive, then the company will have to deal with some very angry customers!
So, as an entrepreneur and business owner, you need to always make sure your company’s computer network is as protected as it can be. Here are some tips that can help.

Always backup

First and foremost, it is imperative that you always backup all of the files and data that are stored on your network. In fact, it will actually make sense to back it all up to the cloud. There are now lots of companies that offer IT support services aimed at firms who have trouble with their regular backup. If you speak to one of these firms, they will be able to set you up with your own account on their cloud platform and can automate your backups for you.

Update to the latest antivirus software

Even if you have some antivirus software on all of the computers in your network, it might still not be good enough to protect you from some of the most sophisticated viruses out there. That is, of course, if it hasn’t been updated to the latest version. So, it’s worth checking to see if there are any updates available. If there are, then be sure to update before it’s too late!

Train staff members…and constantly remind them of good practices

IT training is important for all of your employees about the dangers of viruses and how they can protect against them. That’s because part of IT training is all about being able to spot a potential virus or cybersecurity threat. For instance, your staff will learn not to download any suspicious attachments that they get in unexpected emails. By keeping on top of their training, your employees won’t put the security of the business network at risk by accident.

Block all pop-ups

Do you have a pop-up blocker installed on all of the computers in your network? If not, then it is very important to get one on each machine now. Even though you might think that pop-ups are more annoying than dangerous, some of them can actually contain viruses. And simply clicking on the pop-up could unleash it into your network. So, to completely cut out the risk of anyone accidently clicking on a pop-up, be sure to download some effective blockers.

Once you know all of the above pointers, you will be in a much better position to protect your company’s network from viruses. It will be one-nil to you and your computers!
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Henry Brown is an online marketing executive. When he isn’t talking shop he’s roaming the streets of London, uncovering the extra-ordinary in the ordinary.

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