Secure Your Home Office Technology: 7 Tips
   By B.J. Addington

You may feel safe and secure at your home office. But, the technology you use could make your confidential business information vulnerable to hackers, thieves, viruses and worms.

In a 2004 survey conducted by the Information Technology Solution Providers Alliance (ITSPA), a national, non-profit alliance of technology providers, the providers indicated that their small business to medium-size business (SMB) clients were hit by hackers or viruses an average of more than seven times in 2004.

“According to ITSPA research, SMBs are more vulnerable to security attacks than larger companies,” says ITSPA president Russell Morgan. “Although SMBs are not attacked as often as large companies, they are very vulnerable when massive computer attacks take place, such as worm or virus outbreaks. Also, security at large companies is much better than in the past, which encourages hackers to view SMBs as an easy target.”

Don’t set yourself up to be a target. In the ITSPA survey, the majority of solution providers ranked the following SMB security issues as “most important.” They also offered recommendations to help you keep your technology safe and secure.

1. Install anti-virus software and update it regularly
This software scans incoming e-mails for virus signatures. If a virus is found, the software deletes or quarantines it. It’s critical to update this software regularly with new definitions because hundreds of new viruses appear each month.

2. Set up an Internet firewall. This is your company’s first line of defense. An firewall protects your computer from outside attacks. It screens and blocks all traffic between your computer and the Internet that isn’t allowed. The firewall also hides computer addresses and makes them invisible to outsiders.

3. Use strong passwords
It’s hard to remember passwords, but why make it easy for hackers by using weak or simple words? Never devise passwords based on your real name, username or company name. Don’t use easily-guessed numbers such as 1234. Use passwords that are eight letters or more in length, with lower- and upper-case letters, numbers and symbols. Change your password at least once a month. Use different passwords for different Web sites you visit.

4. Be smart online
The first rule of thumb – never open suspicious or unsolicited attachments. Avoid responding to spam, too, especially links that claim you will be removed from the spammer’s mailing list.

The second rule of thumb – never provide credit card numbers, passwords or personal information in response to e-mail messages. No legitimate business or financial institution will ever ask for your personal information via e-mail: not the Internal Revenue Service, not your bank, not your investment firm, not your credit card issuers.

5. Download computer updates regularly
Older computer operating systems, such as Windows 98 or 95, should be discarded in favor of new versions, such as Windows XP. Newer versions are simply more secure.

You can easily download security updates at www.windowsupdate.com. Better yet, sign up for Microsoft Security Update, a free e-mail alert service that tells you when to take action and what software to download.

6. Make wireless networks secure
Wireless networks, known as 802.11 or Wi-Fi, use radio links instead of cables to connect computers. That makes them more vulnerable to hackers – whether you’re working in your home office, in an airport or at a coffee shop.

Easy-to-buy tools allow hackers to listen in or transmit data on your network. Several encryption technologies, such as Wi-Fi Protected Access, are available to prevent such eavesdropping.

7. Keep your office computer safe
Not all computer problems start with viruses and hackers. Some originate with unauthorized computer users. For instance, if your notebook computer lands in the hands of a thief, make sure the bad guy can’t access your confidential information.

Secure your information by password protecting your computer at startup. You can also password protect critical files.

“SMB decision makers are more aware than ever that they are just as vulnerable to security attacks, viruses and worms as big businesses,” says Morgan. “They also are realizing that their security systems and processes must be just as sophisticated as those at larger companies, otherwise they will be vulnerable to attacks.”

(Posted February 2005)

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