Jacksonville IT Support

WHY IT’S IMPORTANT TO KEEP YOUR CYBER SECURITY UPDATED THROUGH JACKSONVILLE IT SUPPORT

Being that October is Cyber Security Month, let’s talk about cyber security and how Jacksonville IT support can protect you. This is the perfect time to make sure your cyber security can protect you and your business.

Every day millions of computers and networks are under siege from an ever-growing variety of cyber threats. These threats range from annoying malware that slows down your computer’s performance to ransomware that uses ransoms and blackmail to extort money from unexpected victims. This is a multi-billion-dollar problem that continues to get worse every year, as cyber criminals continue to evolve their methods to outsmart organizations and stay one step ahead of their cyber security systems. In fact, in about the time it took you to read this paragraph, a person or business was the victim of a hacker attack.

SMALL BUSINESSES ARE UNDER ATTACK
If you’re a small business owner, cyber security is paramount. Doing business strictly off-line is no longer an option. From online advertising to payroll software, the Internet can be a Jacksonville business’ best friend, but if your cyber security isn’t up-to-date, it can also be your worst enemy. According to a report from insurance provider Hiscox, nearly half of all small businesses in the US were attacked in 2018, while 44% of small businesses received two to four cyber attacks in the same year.

The majority of small businesses in Jacksonville and across the nation fear the threat of cyber attacks. Unfortunately, most businesses do not utilize even the most basic IT services, while many rely on consumer security software that’s users often forget to keep updated. On average, these cyber attacks cost small businesses $36,000 annually. And according to a report by the Ponemon Institute, 60% of small businesses go out of business within six months after an attack.

CYBER SECURITY THREATS
If you’re not using the latest security technologies, every email, every download and every website you visit is a potential threat to your business. Cyber criminals are too sophisticated nowadays to leave it up to chance. Here’s a few of the ways they can take advantage of weak security, or lack thereof.

• Exploit attacks
  Exploit attacks use programs and codes to circumvent security weaknesses, and then infect your computer or network with malware. Even if you are using security software, hackers can exploit flaws before developers have had time to fix them.
• Ransomware
  Ransomware has become a huge problem for organizations big and small. After a successful attack, cyber criminals demand money in order to regain access to your data or threaten to make sensitive information public.
• Phishing
  Phishing uses malicious emails to bait targets into unwittingly give out sensitive information or download malware. Often, fake emails from organizations or banks that businesses work with trick victims into giving hackers important data, such as social security numbers and credit card info.

THE BEST JACKSONVILLE IT SUPPORT
Now that you know why it’s important to keep your cyber security updated, you need the best Jacksonville IT services. If you’ve been hacked or want to shield yourself from future attacks, Workforce IT of Jacksonville has both the on-site and off-site expertise to give your business the protection it deserves. 904.638.8406.