These days there is hardly a computer or smartphone that isn't
connected via the internet. This provides incredible
advantages for instant access to emails, information, communicating
via social networking, and accessing and interacting with
information on line. This facility is provided via the internet,
which is a public global network that connects almost any computer
enabled device to any other device. This means you can communicate
with almost anyone anytime, but it also has other, negative
consequences.
Firstly, the global nature of the internet means that while you can
connect to any one, it also means that anyone can potentially
gain access to information stored on computers, servers and web
sites that are connected to the internet. That is why it is
critically important to protect your information by using safe
internet practices, including having up to date antivirus and
antispyware, installing firewalls, keeping your software up to date
and having complex passwords. A great site produced by the
Australian Government has useful and up to date advice on the best
methods to protect a Small Business in the on line world: http://www.staysmartonline.gov.au/
Protection for Small Business
Keeping internal customer records and financial information
secure from prying eyes is an absolute must in business. In
addition, businesses also need to take care with other less secure
information such as emails and comments posted in Social
Media. Since emails are transmitted across networks and
stored on other people's computers, they need to be regarded as
almost public information. Jeff Kennett recently said on 3AW
radio (10/11/2011) that you shouldn't write anything in an email
that you wouldn't want to appear on the front page of The
Age. This is sound advice. Even more care needs to be made
posting on Facebook and other social media sites such as LinkedIn ,
as this information is intended for publication even if the privacy
settings are meant to restrict the availability of this
information. Also, any comments posted on twitter
are completely public so definitely don't post any information you
don't want the world to know about.