I feel so stupid

3 mistakes home-based business make with cyber security

I was a big fan of the Big Bang Theory. One of the running gags in the show was Penny and her “Check Engine” light. She said it was broken so she never actually did get her engine checked—until the car died. Unfortunately, that’s how many home-based businesses approach cyber security (yours truly has been guilty of this at time).

Sure, we install the McAfee or Norton like good little doobies and then we put in passwords where needed (always something we can easily remember). Amazingly, we actually get very excited when there’s free wifi in a public place so that we can use our device just like we’re at home. And that is why…

I feel so stupid.

Thankfully, writing a newsletter growing in popularity bought me some sway with the folks at Help a Reporter Out (HARO) and I was able to query IT experts on the most common mistakes home-based businesses when it comes to cyber security.

Cybersecurity consultant Alex Tray of NAKIVO Backup and Replication put it rather succinctly:

• Lack of strong passwords and failure to regularly update them.

• Neglecting software and security updates on devices.

• Using unsecured Wi-Fi networks for business transactions.

The general response from the cyber security experts we heard mirrored those responses but added a few extra precautions:

For example, Dave Schell of Schell’s Web Design offered these two additional tips:

Tip #1 – INVEST IN GOOD VIRUS / MALWARE PROTECTION SOFTWARE.

Too many people forget about using virus / malware protection software like Norton, Kapersky, McAfee or others. A website can be infected with Malware that gets into the computer and saves keystrokes or passwords. Computers should be scanned regularly on levels of use. Some software scans live so it can be caught immediately.

Tip #2 – DON’T OPEN SUSPICIOUS EMAIL OR EMAIL THAT SOUNDS IMPORTANT.

Everyone gets spoofed email, where the sender can be someone they know. The name looks familiar, but the email is actually from another person. You reply and can send personal information to another party. There are many emails that also look important but are nothing more than scams. Older individuals are prone to clicking on these because they are usually less computer literate.

Thank you to Max Shak of for providing this great tip:

Ignoring multi-factor authentication - Despite a strong password, it is possible for it to fall into the wrong hands. Users' login details can be stolen by cyber criminals using tricks like phishing attacks. An additional barrier to account compromise is provided by multifactor authentication (MFA), which requires users to respond to an alert - often via a specially designed application - to confirm their identity. Despite having the correct password, cyber criminals cannot access the account without the account owner's approval. Users who receive an unexpected login attempt alert should reset their passwords immediately, so cyber criminals cannot abuse stolen passwords.

Some things go without saying, which is why many of us don’t heed the warning. That’s why I’m grateful for this reminder from Harmandeep Singh, Director at Cyphere:

“It’s also important to back up your data regularly, in case of a cyber attack or data loss.”

Keeping yourself educated on cyber threats stands as the best ways to protect your computer AKA your business. Rick’s Tech Tips is a great resource, particularly the premium version. As a free resource, my Whiz Kid Paul LaFlamme offers a free weekly tip you can sign up for below.

Contributed Content Connection

In the article above, I mentioned a resource for sources and media outlets called Help A Reporter Out. Yours truly has been using it for years to pitch clients to media outlets. It’s kind of neat to now be the outlet and receive pitches. Not only that but to share new similar resources.

Like Contributed Content Connection.

You can sign up for CCC as an Expert Source or Media Outlet. How it works it pretty straightforward. The media outlet posts a query. Expert sources pitch the outlet. If the pitch is accepted, you write the content based on the parameters given by the media outlet.

The queries are available in two ways. For the free option, you can view the queries in CCC’s weekly newsletter. Or for $29 per month or $299 per year you can view them online in real time.

For the complete details on Contributed Content Connection, click the button below.

Inspiring quote of the week

“It is far better to be alone, than to be in bad company.” —George Washington