Website Security Part I –
While the internet has opened doors to opportunities for businesses to promote and trade online, it has also provided a means for opportunists to target businesses with unauthorised access and fraudulent activities. A recent Australian survey of 1,436 small businesses, found that 96% owned a computer, 94% connected online, 60% had a website, and 53% received payments online1
You may wonder, is it really necessary to implement security technology? If you have a website for your business, then yes – you are vulnerable!
An ABACUS study, found that in one year alone, 14% of small businesses experienced one or more computer security threats. Negative outcomes were reported by 75% of small businesses. The top five are:
- Corruption of hardware or software (42%);
- Corruption or loss of data (31%);
- Unavailability of service (38%);
- Operational losses (24%);
- Financial losses (12%);
And with 5% of businesses experiencing critical financial losses that could lead to closure, the average loss to a small business was $2,431 from a malware attack, and many businesses face multiple hacks per year. Can you afford this loss?
So, what happens when you face a malware attack, leading to financial loss?
Blacklisted by search engines:
Your website is monitored for malware by search engines. When any malware is detected, you site will be blacklisted and access will be blocked. Your website will be go offline for days, until you have cleared the infection and submitted a request to be removed from the blacklist. Loss of revenue is especially problematic if you do business transactions online. Even just a few days loss of business can cost you over the long-run, as customers can become weary or reluctant to come back.
This is just the start of what risks malware can pose. More long term damaging consequences include; loss of SEO rankings and reputation, illegitimate links, and information theft – which will be covered in Part II.
In the meantime, it is important to make sure that you are protected. Many businesses misunderstand that their websites are covered through hosting or firewalls, however hackers are adept in finding ways to infiltrate your website. The best way is to have protection that is specifically designed for malware detection and removal.
Not sure where to start? Concept Design’s Marketing consultants Gold Coast can help. We provide malware protection services that will scan your website daily, giving you peace of mind and saving you from unnecessary financial loss. Stay tuned for Part II for more information and self-check tips!
Give us a call to find out how we can protect your website today!
