Business internet safety guide

Camryn Smith
CS
Camryn Smith

Jan 13, 2025 — 3 min read

Keep your business safe by maintaining a secure Wi-Fi network, using strong passwords and regularly updating software.

two women looking at computers

Cybersecurity is important for everyone, and businesses are no exception. 61% of small and midsize businesses (SMBs) were victims of cyberattacks in 2023 and 87% of IT ‘decision makers’ claim they experienced two or more successful attacks in the past year.

Cyberattacks leave not only businesses vulnerable but their employees and consumers as well. Luckily, there are ways to keep your business safe from cybersecurity threats.

Common business internet security threats

  • Data breaches – Can be caused by many different things, like malware, phishing or hacking. Data breaches can result in significant financial loss while also impacting consumers whose data could’ve been involved in the breach
  • Malware – A type of software designed to damage a network, computer or server. Malware can take many forms, such as viruses, worms, trojans, ransomware and spyware
  • Phishing – The hacker pretends to be a trusted contact to entice a user to open an email, text, file, etc. Once the user clicks on that link or downloads that file, the hacker can exploit them and their network
  • Weak passwords – Employees may use weak passwords to make them easier to remember, but they can leave your business vulnerable to cyberattacks 
  • Man-in-the-middle attack – When hackers insert themselves between two communicating parties. Without knowing, the parties pass information to the other through the hacker
  • SQL injection – Occurs when a hacker injects malicious SQL code into a backend database. This allows the hacker to access information not meant to be displayed, like sensitive data or consumer details
  • Denial-of-service attack – Designed to overrun a targeted network with traffic to exhaust its bandwidth, preventing legitimate users from accessing the expected resources or services
internet safety business tips

What are some tips for business internet safety?

Create a cybersecurity action plan

Have a cybersecurity action plan in place. From preventative measures to next steps in times of crisis, it’s important to know what to do next.

Inform employees of basic cybersecurity principles and establish training programs to educate employees on phishing, malware, scams and other harmful security threats. Every management system, like WordPress, has ways to secure your websites from attacks as well.

Employees should use unique passwords and change them after a few months to ensure their accounts remain secure. Multifactor authentication also adds another layer of password and account protection.

Firewall security protects private networks from outside traffic and can help prevent unauthorized access to data. Make sure firewall security is in place on all devices within an organization.

Regularly backing up data can help in times of security crisis. If a data breach occurs, a backup can at least remedy the impact if data is lost during the cyberattack.

The Wi-Fi network for your business must be secure and encrypted. VPNs are a great tool to keep your network safe. Also, educate employees on the dangers of public Wi-Fi, especially while accessing company data on a public network without proper security precautions.

Employees should only be given access to the data and systems they need for their jobs. Do not give one employee access to all company data.

Update security software regularly to keep your employees and your business safe.

Learn more about internet safety in our internet safety guide.

Find a business internet provider

*AT&T Business Fiber: Service includes modem or gateway Equipment. Credit restrictions and other conditions and limitations may apply. Taxes & Fees: Up to $125 installation fee may apply, plus tax where applicable. A Monthly State Cost Recovery Fee applies in OH, TX, NV and a Cost Assessment Charge (up to 7%) may apply in certain states, which are not government-required. Taxes also apply. For one time AT&T transactional fees, see www.att.com/BusinessInternetFees for details. Pricing and offers subject to change without notice. Subj. to Internet Terms of Service at att.com/internet-terms. As of 01/13/25.
**Limited availability. Service and rate in select locations only. Paperless billing required. Taxes and fees apply.
*** For first 12 months w/ Auto Pay.
****Per month. Plus taxes, fees and equipment charges.

Some top internet service providers (ISPs) offer business internet options with fast upload and download speeds and security options. Business internet plans are mainly fiber optic and provide faster speeds than a home internet connection, particularly upload speeds. The business ISPs below each offer business internet plans that are ideal for small businesses. Some also come with added security that you won’t get with a home internet connection.

More business cybersecurity resources

Business internet safety FAQs

Why does cybersecurity matter?

Cybersecurity matters because it protects individuals and organizations from cybercrime, whether it’s data breaches in a company or stealing financial and other sensitive information from an individual.

Hackers can use malicious code to launch a variety of cyberattacks on business networks.

Ensure privacy settings are enabled, use antivirus software and, of course, use strong and unique passwords.

Camryn Smith

Written by:

Camryn Smith

As one of Allconnect’s writers, Camryn Smith helps consumers navigate complex home internet services and broadband technology through her helpful content. Using her expertise in the broadband space, Camryn edu… Read more

What to read next Read more

Latest