One of the common mistakes by small businesses is that they believe their businesses are not big enough or important enough to face a cybersecurity threat. They believe they are immune to such attacks. However, in reality, small businesses face a greater risk of cyberattacks as compared to large organizations. That’s because large organizations have a cybersecurity team in place that keeps up with the security threats.
If we talk about cybersecurity risks for small businesses, the most inherent is mobile phones and devices that are connected to the internet. Therefore, small businesses must be aware of mobile security threats.
Common mobile security threats for small businesses
Here are some common mobile security threats that you need to be aware of when it comes to the privacy and security of your small business:
- Public Wi-Fi’s
Keep in mind that public internet networks are a common target for hackers because people are unaware of the risks posed by these unprotected networks. Once you connect your mobile phone with the public wi-fi and open official documents, hackers can easily access confidential files without you ever knowing about it.
If you travel alot and have to use public Wi-Fi, we recommend getting a Virtual Private Network (VPN). The best android VPN apps will encrypt your data and pass it through a VPN tunnel to secure it. This way, the hackers will not be able to trace your online activities, keeping you safe online.
- Viruses
When we talk about malware and viruses, most people associate them with PC and Windows laptops. However, in reality, your mobile is as vulnerable as a PC when it comes to malware attacks. If your smartphone gets infected with a virus and you connect it to your small business’s network, it can lead to serious damage because the hacker can use it to access all devices on your business network.
Your mobile phone can get injected with viruses in two ways: either through web pages or malicious apps. If you open a suspicious email or a link from your smartphone, it will activate the malware to run the background and compromise the security of your device.
- Responsive Malware
If you run a small technology company, you need to be aware of responsive malware. Responsive malware is different from traditional viruses because it makes its way using SQL injection, making it hard to track. In such cases, you will usually be redirected to gambling or a porn site. In 2020, Adware accounted for around 57% of mobile malware worldwide.
If you create websites using a content management system (CMS) like Joomla or WordPress, you should be careful about this malware. The best way to protect yourself is to use top encryption, security standards, and plugins.
- Mobile Theft
When it comes to mobile security threats for small businesses, the most obvious one is theft. You could lose your device, or it could be stolen, leading to stolen data and information. If your device is stolen, the criminal can get access to corporate information and other property.
Mobile security solutions for small businesses
We have looked at some common mobile security threats for small businesses. Now, let’s look at some solutions:
- Passwords and security codes
The first tip is to take preventive measures when you distribute mobile devices to your employees. The easiest way to secure devices in case of theft is to use a strong security code and password for unlocking mobile. You can also use other ways for unlocking your phone (like facial recognition, iris scanner, and fingerprint). This way, the hacker will not be able to access the device.
Use a Virtual Private Network
Almost all small businesses are using a VPN, considering the number of mobile security threats that they face. VPN is highly recommended for small businesses and startups because it masks your real connection and disguises your IP address by rerouting your internet traffic through another server location. It offers powerful encryption, so nothing can be traced back to you.
Once you have enabled the VPN on your Android, or iOS mobile devices, your mobile will get a new IP address, and all traffic will pass through the VPN tunnel. Even if a hacker tracks your online traffic, he will not be able to decode the data or steal it. Therefore, a VPN is a powerful tool for boosting the security of small businesses.
Remote access management
The current COVID-19 situation has proved to be extremely challenging for small businesses, as most employees are working from home. Meaning they take company devices home for work. This means they will be using their private home networks for accessing company emails, chats, and more – leading to a lot of privacy risks.
What you can do is introduce remote access management for mobile devices and PCs, which will help IT administrators connect these devices to the secured business network. However, in such cases, the employees have to give up some of their privacy to ensure safety during remote working. These remote access tools are used for spying on people. It simply provides access to disable or enable connections in case the device is stolen.
Get your small business’s cybersecurity in check!
Now you know why mobile security is essential for small businesses and is a major challenge for companies who don’t have a large budget to spend on taking security measures to ensure cybersecurity. We have listed above some of the most common threats and simple tips that you can follow to ensure the security and privacy of your business. The above solutions will not break your bank and will give instant results.
Have questions about mobile security risks concerning small businesses? Let us know in the comments below.