ProtectYourWi-Fi If you want to provideWi-Fi to clients visiting your office, you should create a separate network for them. Both that network and your internal network should be protected by different passwords.When you let outside devices onto your network, you are at risk of being attacked through those devices. EducateYour Staff A staff member’s device can leave your system vulnerable, as well. If you are going to allow your staff to use companyWi-Fi for personal use, you need to educate them on safe browsing behavior.You may be skeptical of unsolicited text messages promising vacation deals, but if one person clicks, the whole network is at risk. SAVE YOUR BUSINESS
The Internet Safety Tips That Could Running a business is hard enough without having to deal with technological problems. If your computer network is compromised, the results can be catastrophic.You might think that hackers and cybercriminals would never target a business as small as yours, but it happens all the time.You probably already know to be wary of dubious email attachments, but here are a few more tips to ensure you don’t end up the victim of an attack that sends your computers into a spiral. UpdateAll theTime Updates to your operating system and security software might seem like a constant chore, but it’s the easiest defense against an attack.Antivirus software should be set to scan for malware after each update, and you should update your software whenever you’re prompted to do so. Even better, set your software to update automatically. Security patches are designed to counter the latest threats, so you shouldn’t wait to install them. Use Backups Correctly If you do end up with compromised data, a backup is your best friend.Too many businesses don’t check that their backups actually work until they need to rely on them. Ensure your backed-up files are in good order and keep one set of backups off-site.That way, if your entire network is under siege, you know you’ll make it out with minimal damage.
Get a Firewall A robust firewall is the first line of defense against prying eyes and hackers. A firewall, or router that includes
firewall features, is inexpensive and easy to set up, and it will deter those seeking to break in.Think of it as a digital version of an alarm system. RELOCATE?
IS IT TIME TO
So, you’re considering relocating. Are your employees
about the new location before you decide. Reference publications like The Statistical Abstract of the United States and magazines like American Demographics in the process. If you are moving cities, consider subscribing to local newspapers a few months in advance. If you want to be sure about a new location, you need to also be sure about the community that surrounds it. While shopping around, gather every bit of information you can about the current real estate market. Find out what utilities cost, check in with other small-business owners about their own recent moves, and survey the area’s growth projections for the next few years. Be sure to check in with the Chambers of Commerce, local economic development agencies, and real estate brokers in the area.The more details you have, the easier your move will be. Once you’ve found a location, keep your employees informed.There is nothing more frustrating to a customer than getting inconsistent information, and if they’re hearing one move date from a sales representative and another from a customer service technician, they’ll be annoyed. If there’s a setback and the moving date has to be changed, don’t hesitate to tell your employees.They can pass that information along to your customers. In business, not every move works out. But if you identify your reasons for moving and make sure your new office addresses those needs, you increase the odds that the grass really will be greener on the other side.
commuting too far? Does it feel like your business sits in the middle of a customer wasteland? Are your carpets
fraying while your paint peels and your entire building comes apart at the hinges? Is there another, cheaper building situated in a better location? Would an upgraded facility simply improve your company’s quality of life? You might answer yes to many of these questions, but overall, cost, coupled with growth, is the primary reason businesses relocate. Often, the cost of living and renting in a certain location will increase, and a business owner will look to save money by renting and working somewhere cheaper. Moving carries its own financial risks, and rushing the decision could cause you to miss important environmental or regulatory concerns. If you take your time and create a plan for future expansion, though, a move can be one of the best things you ever do for your company. Before you move, develop a list of must-have qualities you need to see in a new location. Stick to your reasons for moving and don’t get distracted by attractive lease offers from prospective landlords or incentives from economic development agencies.You’ll also need detailed information
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