FBI Warns of Increase Computer Security Risks

Everyone who does any online banking should go to the following FBI website press release to read the following brief but important warning just released by the FBI regarding cyber-crime: Fraudulent Automated Clearing House (ACH) Transfers Connected to Malware and Work-at-Home Scams.

Then read a recent Reuter's report by Deborah Cohen entitled Small Firms More Susceptible to Cyber Crime.

In my professional experience as an IT support person working for small businesses, I can attest that cyber security among small businesses is not usually a priority, not because they don't care, but because they don't understand the threat or the simple steps they can take to secure their critical data.

Here are some tips:

1) Use Anti-Virus and Anti-Malware software and keep the subscriptions up to date. I've never had to clean viruses from computers with up-to-date Anti-Virus and Anti-Malware. There are a bunch of good ones out there. Pick one and use it.

2) Consider a commercial email and web filtering solution like Message Labs. Check out their SMB package Here. This is a service that filters your email and web content before it even gets to your office. Prices usually start around $5 a user or less per month.

3) Password protect everything, especially your wireless networks and routers. And use secure passwords!

4) Keep your software up-to-date. Hackers find new security holes all the time. But if you keep up with software updates, your risks of being compromised are drastically reduced.

Now that's not too hard! A little precaution goes a long way.