Hacking or creating virus started as a hobby. But today, it has becomes a full fledged organized crime. It is like a terrorism where an unauthorized group of people with vested interests creates a harms to the networks and computers of other people. They may enter a network and may steal data in an unauthorized way to sell it in the market and make money.

According to the many computer geeks, a virus that affect our computer system is generated by the companies who are there to market their anti-virus. This may be true for those unethical companies who want to make a fast buck and therefore find some unethical way to make money.

There are several small and medium sized business that have been victims of cyber crime at some point. As a businessman, it is absolutely important for you to minimize your chances of being victim of cyber crime. When online, the security measures are necessary to protect your computer, your information as well as your money.

So, what you should do at a minimum to protect your company or business? I have assembled here some tips to protect your business from hackers and cyber criminals.

• Educate your users on cyber security basis such as using strong or complex passwords, not downloading illegal music and cute screen savers, shutting down the PCs at night, etc.

• Some of the companies make the cyber security as a part of the their standard HR policies and make their employees sign that they understand the rule. You can apply the same for your business.

• Install a web filtering software to prevent some accidentals slip-ups. Install a firewall and try to check the log periodically.

• Remove all unnecessary applications and services installed on your server. This is the biggest security vulnerability after the e-mail.

• Always keep your server updated with the latest security patches.

• Never keep any manufacturer’s default settings on any software you install. The hackers know what these settings are and they can use them to get easy access to your network.

The cyber crime is rapidly growing as well as evolving. The only way to stay safe is to be up-to-date on data security as well as data recovery matter. By paying attentions to these smaller but important things, you can protect your business from hackers and cyber criminals.