Online Safety Tips for Businesses
Establish basic security practices and policies for employees as well as appropriate Internet use guidelines that detail penalties for violating company cybersecurity policies. Establish rules describing how to handle and protect customer and Company information and other vital data.
Never share username and/or password information for online services with third party providers.
Prohibit the use of “shared” usernames and passwords for online banking access. Require individual user accounts for each employee. Passwords should be strong passwords comprised of 8-16 characters using mixed case letters, numbers and special characters.
Install a regularly maintained firewall for your Internet connection. If employees work from home, ensure their home systems are protected by a firewall.
Be suspicious of emails sent from a financial institution, government office or other agency where the sender is requesting account information, account verification, or banking access credentials such as usernames, passwords, PIN codes, or similar information. Opening attachments or clicking on web links can expose your computer to malicious codes intended to hijack your banking information.
Maintain and update your anti-virus and security protection software regularly. Maintain operating system and key application updates regularly - most offer automatic update options.
Use secure hiring practices, including background checks, for employees who will have access to important data and online banking.
Review the activity of your online banking administrators and employees.
Never save your username and password for automatic login to your online banking session.
Never access your bank account information publicly - internet cafes, public libraries, or other publicly accessible computers - unauthorized software may have been installed to capture account access information.
Make backup copies of important business information.
Continue to educate yourself and your staff on data security. Information can be found at the websites of the Federal Communications Commission: https://www.fcc.gov/cyberforsmallbiz and the Department of Homeland Security: FCC Cyber Security Planning Guide
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