fbpx

Five simple steps you can take today to stay safe online

While the internet is one of the most helpful tools for any business owner, it also comes with its fair share of pitfalls.  But, there are simple practical steps you can take today that will vastly improve your security when transacting online.

Realise Business advisor David Batson has compiled his top five tips for staying safe online. David has recently joined Realise Business, bringing with him a wealth of experience, including running his own consultancy for over 16 years. He specialises in service orientated firms, consultancy, SEO and digital marketing, sales strategies and business plans. David also spent 5 years in health IT, giving him a thorough understanding of online safety.

David’s Top 5 Tips for Staying Safe Online

1. Proper password management

On any given day, you’re bound to log into a website or application using a password countless times. As such, it’s paramount to ensure your passwords are managed properly.

David recommends choosing specific words and never using the same password on more than one platform. He also suggests utilising password storage applications such as LastPass.

With LastPass, you only need to create one master password to log into the app. Afterwards, you can add all your sites that require passwords into one hub and access them securely from LastPass as it remembers intricate passwords or can automatically generate them on your behalf.

2. Secure your website

When you access different websites, you might notice that some begin with “http” while some are “https”. Business owners will want to have the S on the end – a Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) option – as it is secure.

According to David, having an SSL website URL can drastically up your level of protection from hackers. It is almost a mandatory requirement for any site that has paywalls or an online store.

To get a secured SSL website, David says to simply ask your website host to add it as an option.  While there may be a cost involved it is worthwhile looking into SSL.

3. Ensure your emails are reliable and safe

Most people have a few email accounts; one for work, one for personal use, perhaps one for banking. It should come as no surprise, then, that emails can be one of the most destructive forms of cyber breaches.

How and who an email account is configured with can severely impact its reliability and security. IT problems can also occur from having an email set up on the same domain as a website.

David believes that setting up an email independent of your website is the way to go. This way, if a malware attack occurs, your website won’t be compromised along with an email.

4. Be watchful when using social media on shared devices

It’s easy to leave your social media logged in on someone else’s device. However, do it on the wrong device and the consequences can be much worse than an embarrassing status update from your friends!

As David points out, leaving your social media accounts logged in on shared devices such as in an internet café can have dire consequences. For example, forgetting to shut down your LinkedIn account gives somebody the chance to destroy your personal brand.

If you sell or get rid of a device, remembering to log out and remove your accounts is also extremely important.

Again, your passwords are at risk and in turn your information, so using an app like LastPass is beneficial to your security.

5. Go incognito

Browsing on devices is fine, but if you’re not sure about the authenticity of what you’re looking at then go through a private mode.

Incognito pages don’t store browser history or web cookies, meaning much less of your information is retained.

Using incognito mode is especially useful when using a shared device like a work or hotel computer as you’re not the only person that has access to it.

To use incognito mode, a right click will bring up the option on most computers, or you can find it in your browser menu. For phones, an option to surf the net privately is equally easy to access in your phone’s settings.

If you would like to work with a professional to help you set up some of these suggested steps, check out our Business Directory where you will find website developers, IT professionals and more.

About David:

 

 

 

David has helped many organisations in Business Development, Sales, General Management, Marketing and Operational Roles in and outside his employment experience, to start up, grow and improve.  His formal qualifications include an MBA, a GDB and a Graduate Certificate of Business.  Make an appointment to see David today.

Share the Post:

Find the Right Digital Solution for Your Business

Related Posts

How does your business measure up?

Our FREE Business Assessment Tool gives you a real time snapshot of exactly where your business is now.

Martin Rogers
Chief Executive Officer

Martin holds an extensive background and certification in Business, Marketing, and Strategy with over 20 years’ experience specialising in Strategic Thinking, Business Growth, Leadership and Team Development, across a number of industries. Martin utilises a collaborative leadership style and has a thirst for problem solving, understanding the latest trends and identifying the uniqueness that gives businesses their edge.

Mark McCrea
Chief Operations Officer

Mark McCrae stands out as a highly efficient Operations professional, known for his strategic oversight and management prowess within the corporate landscape. With years of experience under his belt, Mark has become synonymous with operational excellence, streamlining processes to enhance productivity and drive sustainable growth. Mark's forward-thinking approach and unwavering commitment to excellence have solidified his reputation as a cornerstone of operational success.

Razz Khan
Chief Marketing Officer

With over a decade of experience, Razz has a proven track record of driving growth and enhancing the digital footprint of various brands across multiple industries. His expertise spans across SEO, PPC, content marketing, social media strategies, and analytics. Razz is known for his innovative approaches to solving complex marketing challenges. Razz's passion for digital marketing, combined with his commitment to client success, makes him a valuable asset to any team looking to elevate their digital presence..

Greg Kay
Chief Commercial Officer

Greg has more than 25 years success in working with many for the development and implementation of growth strategies for businesses by building strong relationships through effective partnerships. Greg constantly strives for opportunities to have a positive influence in the personal and business lives of the people he works with.

Chris Wilborn
Contracts Manager And Advisor

Chris is a results-driven leader with a wealth of knowledge derived from his more than two decades in the NGO, corporate and government sectors. As a current business owner, from his prior work as a growth-minded CEO and a background working with disability organisations, Chris is deeply passionate about the NDIS, small business community and the central role they play in the fabric of our society.

Lindsay Munns
Executive

As a long term member of the Realise Business Board, Lindsay has temporarily stepped into this key role to facilitate the changeover of Chief Executive as part of our CEO succession strategy. Additionally he is busy leading the roll out of a major new Government contract that will take Realise Business up to the next level of its vital place in the NSW Small Business Advisory scene.

Marisa Barresi
Office / Client Coordinator
- Business Connect

Shanice Bangar
Events / Client Coordinator - Digital Solutions

Mona Bucog
Event Coordinator

Over the past 12 years, Mona has honed her skills in customer service, specializing in managing and addressing a wide range of customer needs. She’s dedicated to providing exceptional service and ensuring customer satisfaction. Her experiences have helped her develop skills that assist organizations in achieving their goals. Her ultimate aim is to help them focus on what they love, and she will take care of the rest!