Save money in every possible way you can. This is the mantra of many small businesses. It is therefore not surprising that free software is sought to achieve goals as opposed to purchasing mainstream software.
The 2016 Internet Security Threat Report by Symnatec showed that hackers are now turning their attention to small businesses. Over 43 percent of cyber-attacks carried out in 2015 were targeted towards small businesses and a big reason why is that small businesses don’t invest in cyber security like large corporations do. They are therefore more vulnerable than larger corporations.
Small businesses that use freeware put themselves at even greater risk. A 2008 study by Fortify Software showed, using open-source software comes with significant security risks to small businesses. Many of these seemingly helpful software applications are often up to much more than just saving you a buck.
The true cost of freeware
Small businesses need to be very cautious when it comes to freeware. This is because they may be free upfront but could end up costing the company much more down the line.
Freeware is a significant threat to security because many of these applications are open source. This means that their source code can be accessed by anyone, amateur and expert coder alike. Hackers therefore also have access to the code. While the developers of the software may have developed and distributed the software with good intentions, hackers may access its source code with malicious intent.
It is therefore not uncommon to find malicious code including viruses, worms and Trojans embedded in the code of the freeware. Once these are on your computer, they can cause havoc. They can destroy your files, give hackers access to private information or allow them to take control of your computer.
Staying safe
If you want to ensure the safety of your business, consider the following tips:
- Implement a security policy for your business
The first step in protecting your company is by implementing a security policy. This policy should outline the benefits of securing your network and how it will be done. The policy should be distributed throughout the organization. It should be clear to everyone including business partners and vendors.
- Invest in insurance
Due to the ubiquitous nature of cyberattacks these days, more and more companies offering cybersecurity insurance coverage are popping up. CyberPolicy, for example, aims to help small businesses through a three-part process: developing a cyber plan, strengthening cybersecurity, and offering cybersecurity insurance. Large businesses have the finances and resources to recover following a cyber-attack. Small businesses stand to lose a lot more when security breaches occur. Cyber security insurance offers a cushion to protect your assets when a cyber-attack occurs.
- Get employees on board
Employees are one of the biggest threats to the security of an organization. According to the 2014 Cyber Security Intelligence Index, human error is responsible for over 95 percent of security breaches in companies. It is important that employees understand the danger of downloading freeware on their computers or phones. Training employees on security issues and the importance of adhering to the company’s security policy will improve your security a great deal.
- Limit access of personal devices to networks
Are your employees using their personal devices on your business’ network? Many workplaces have adopted a flexible environment where employees can use their own devices for work. However, this increases your business’s security risks. Employees may download freeware on their phones or laptops and access your network. This could result in a breach of security. Limit access to your company network to company devices to reduce this risk.
While not all freeware is bad, some of it could end up causing serious harm to your business. There’s no such thing as free. Be very careful when choosing the software your company uses.
