Issue link: http://www.insightdigital.biz/i/1205601
22 Insight on Technology Februar y 2020 On the Web marconet.com Attackers exploit whatever vulnerabilities they can to compromise websites and gather sensitive data. Businesses without cybersecurity measures in place to defend against web threats become easy targets for attackers." I n recent yea rs, we've a l l been witnessing a blurring of online life and real life. It almost seems impos- sible to separate the two. Screen time happens all the time, and just about everyone is connected to the web in some way or another. As we have more devices and more data connected to the web, how are indi- viduals and organizations keeping information safe? In a lot of situations, they're not. Many individuals and businesses are not adapting to the changing digital landscape as quickly as those who use the web to do harm. Cybercrime is ever y where, and businesses need to be familiar with the risk factors. Web security threats for businesses and organizations When web servers are vulnerable, so are the websites they host, the people who visit those websites and the devices used. Attackers exploit whatever v u lnerabi li- ties they can to compromise websites and gather sensitive data. Businesses without cybersecurity measures in place to defend against web threats become easy targets for attackers. P A R T N E R M E S S A G E B Y J A K E V A N D E H E Y , I T S A L E S D I R E C T O R , M A R C O < C Y B E R S E C U R I T Y > Web threats, web security and what you should know As corporate cybersecurity increases, attackers are also looking for different ways in. While larger systems may be in place, employees can click on one wrong link and accidentally infect the entire company with malware. This can lead to lost revenue, downtime and even ransom demands. I know these examples of security breaches can seem scary, especially when you're not sure what level of security you currently have. Protecting yourself, your organization and your users from web threats is a real issue that requires atten- tion. This is especially true for smaller enti- ties that may not have proper protection on their networks. How can I protect my business? From phishing emails to malware lurking on social media, employee education is key in protecting your business. Teaching your employees to recognize a suspicious link or website means threats against your orga- nization will be minimized. Failure to regularly patch and update websites and ser vers can leave your company vulnerable to an attack. For cyber- criminals, past-due patches and updates are like an unlocked door for them to access your data and take whatever they find. Keeping your comput- ers (and smartphones) updated with the latest bug fixes is a crit- ical line of defense against these web threats. Even with a heavy focus on digital efforts, businesses can still leave themselves vulner- able. Web application security threats can show up in physical spaces too. Investing in physical security hardware, like restricted points of entry that require badge swipes, can go a long way in keep- ing data and network endpoints secure. Unkempt workstations can reveal sensitive information, like a confidential document or a sticky note with a password scribbled on it. When it comes to security, it's better to take a proactive approach. C yberc r i m i n a l s h ave nea r-end- less options for accessing sensi- tive data. Protecting your business from cyberattacks, ransomware and data breaches needs to be part of the conversation. Jake Vande Hey is the IT sales director for Marco. Marco specializes in business IT services, managed services, cloud services and copiers/printers. Its technology experts break down complex solutions into simple terms to position your business for success. Learn more at marconet.com or contact Vande Hey at jake.vandehey@marconet.com