October is cybersecurity awareness month, so there’s no better time to brush up on internet safety habits. All too often, we become complacent with cybersecurity. Technology is ingrained in our daily lives, and many of us get lulled into a false sense of trust.  

“I don’t download files from unknown sources or visit questionable websites,” you might tell yourself. “It won’t happen to me.” 

But the scary truth is that you don’t have to willingly download a malicious file or enter personal information onto an unsecured site to become a victim. Cybercriminals, unfortunately, are smart. They will use exploits and work behind the scenes to hit you where it hurts.  

The best defense?

Knowledge. 

4 Essential Cybersecurity Tips for Small Businesses 

The Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) offers an excellent array of resources and best practices to help you avoid becoming a victim of cybercrime.

It’s worth it to review all of CISA’s guidelines, but as a small business owner, you probably don’t have that kind of time. To help you get the most out of cybersecurity without diving too deep into heady research, here are four tips that your small business can start using right now to help keep cybercrime at bay. 

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1. Recognize Phishing  

Phishing is one of the internet’s most well-known scams. It often involves “spoofing” a legitimate email address or phone number and luring victims into clicking unsafe links or opening malicious attachments.  

Many email clients and text messaging platforms warn you if a message originated from outside of your organization or if it is potentially spam, but a discerning eye is your best tool to stay safe. You should pay extra attention if an email has attachments, links, or asks for personal information.  

Misspellings and poor grammar used to be a dead giveaway, but generative AI allows foreign scammers to deliver Pulitzer-worthy messages. While some phishing attempts may still be littered with telltale spelling errors, stay safe by looking out for these signs: 

• Urgent and emotionally-driven language, often used to provoke fear 

• Requests for personal information 

• Extremely specific instructions

• Unfamiliar URLs

2. Use Strong Passwords 

Most applications have requirements that prevent you from using weak passwords, such as Password1234, but this isn’t always the case. To avoid using an easy-to-hack password, always follow the parameters of a strong password. A strong password should be long, unique, and either random or memorable. 

• Long: The minimum requirement for passwords is typically between 6 and 8 characters, but a secure password should be at least double this length. 

• Unique: Once you come up with a strong password, it can be tempting to use it for every account, but remember this—if one website becomes compromised, the hackers now have a skeleton key to your information. Avoid this by never using the same password for more than one account. 

• Random or Memorable: A number of password managers exist (Apple keychain, Okta, Last Pass) that generate and store strong passwords safely. Using a password manager gives you the luxury of complex passwords without the burden of memorizing them. If you choose not to use a password manager, aim to create a memorable “passphrase,” such as your favorite quote or song lyric. 

3. Use Multifactor Authentication (MFA) 

MFA is one of the most important cybersecurity measures that you can set up. As the name implies, multiple forms of authentication are required before access is granted. MFA is up to 99.9% effective when enabled, and 100% of businesses should be using it.  

In fact, this security tool is so important that we have a whole blog on MFA. If your business isn’t using MFA, you are at a higher risk for data loss. 

Our findings demonstrate that implementing MFA leads to a 99.22% reduction in the risk of compromise.

Meyer, L. A., et al. How effective is multifactor authentication at deterring cyberattacks?
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4. Update Software 

Zero-day exploits and unpatched software vulnerabilities are a serious concern. Downloading and installing security updates might take extra time, but it’s worth it to avoid disaster. We recommend keeping an eye out for update notifications as well as turning on automatic updates where possible.  

For updates that will cause widespread downtime and affect end-users, be sure to deploy the updates during a time when you can have a closed environment, such as overnight or during the weekend. 

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Let Denver’s Top Cybersecurity Experts Protect Your Business 

As Cybersecurity Awareness Month reminds us, staying informed and vigilant is our best defense against cyber threats. By recognizing phishing attempts, using strong passwords, enabling MFA, and regularly updating software, you can significantly reduce your risk of becoming a victim. 

At Aspire, we understand that cybersecurity risks are real and can affect anyone, regardless of the size of your business or your personal online habits. That’s why our dedicated team is committed to providing exceptional customer service and honest, reliable support tailored to your unique needs. We prioritize your security, ensuring you have the tools and knowledge necessary to protect your valuable data. 

Don’t leave your cybersecurity to chance—partner with Denver’s cybersecurity experts and take proactive steps to protect your business.