Selling online is an awesome way to make money – Here is how you can provide your company with better online security online while selling online.
The number of people starting small businesses online has skyrocketed in the past year. Since the COVID-19 pandemic closed many doors for entrepreneurs, new ones have opened in the online sphere. Instagram has installed a Shopping feature, meaning that consumers can actually use their social media account to shop for products now! This boom in online entrepreneurship has helped a lot of people start their own small businesses.
While the online boom has provided so many positive opportunities for people, it has also provided opportunities for criminals, too. Did you know that on average, only 5% of companies’ folders are only properly protected, with 68% of business leaders feeling their cybersecurity risks are increasing?Â
This is a sign that we all need to step up and protect our online businesses better. In this post, we will show you how you can provide your company with better security online, giving you a better chance of fighting against a cyber crime attack.
How does cyber crime happen?
Cyber crime exists in myriad forms, but the most common form of cyber crime is scamming. Unfortunately, cyber criminals prey on vulnerable people, pretending to be their banking provider, for example, in order for the victim to willingly hand over their information.
Businesses, however, are vulnerable to a more insidious form of cyber crime: data theft. If you do not adequately protect your data and the data of your customers, it could be that, down the line, you face civil or even criminal charges.
Additionally, if your brand becomes more widely known, you could have scammers who attempt to lure your customers with a fraudulent version of your products, asking your customers for money in return for a product that will never be shipped.
3 ways to increase your business’ cybersecurity
Now you know some of the cybersecurity dangers that are out there, let’s look at some solutions.
1. Consult a data protection expert.
Having a consultation with a data protection expert can yield phenomenal results. Data protection experts can assess how well yours and your customers’ data is currently protected, and recommend steps to make this even stronger.
They can also point out vulnerabilities that could cost your business huge amounts of money if they were preyed upon by hackers. This is truly an invaluable investment to make!
2. Watch out for duplicates or scammers – and call them out.
If you have a brand that operates largely on Instagram or other social media channels, it’s easy to spot copycats who see your success and decide to capitalise on it. Ensure you keep your eyes open for copycats or scammers claiming to be you, and call them out, threatening legal action if necessary.
3. Use trustworthy payment channels.
Your customers’ data deserves to be protected, so to ensure this happens, you should only use trustworthy payment channels like PayPal. These channels are fully insured and operate with a high level of security, so you know your customers’ money and details are protected at all times when they choose to buy your products.
Overall, selling online is an awesome way to make money – just make sure you are staying safe in this increasingly digital world!
