Hackers and other online criminals target small businesses more often than people think, and the threats are only getting worse. With as many costs as small businesses already have, dealing with a cyber attack shouldn't be one of them. Our Small Business Cyber Security packages are scalable to your needs and provide vulnerability scans, remote technical assistance, an emergency help line, and Cyber Security Protection Plan providing you with up to $100,000 of liability protection for a swift recovery. Learn more about our Small Business Cyber Security Plan, or read on for a few cyber security tips:

Protect Your Business From The Dark Web

As a small business owner, you do everything you can to protect against identity theft, but the Dark Web presents its own unique challenges. The Dark Web is an online market where identity theft professionals buy and sell stolen data. Cyber criminals lurk in online places not indexed by search engines, and these hidden online spaces are the perfect place for criminals to trade in your stolen accounts information, documents, logins and other credentials, and the identities of your staff and customers. New, synthetic identities are created from both real and fictional data, and can also be purchased or sold on the Dark Web. Some criminals even offer customer service, including refunds and credit card support.

While the uses of your information by criminals is essentially unlimited, some of the most common uses are to fraudulently get loans or mortgages, obtaining lines of credit, and stealing tax refunds. A stolen credit card can be used to open several new lines of credit and accounts, including new bank accounts and buying things online.

Using the same usernames and passwords for multiple business services - and, worse, for personal use as well as business use - would allow a hacker or cyber criminal to gain access to many - if not most or all - of your accounts across various service, financial, and business-related logins. If this happens, you may spend months or even years sorting through multiple compromises of your personal and business data and private information.

It's Worse At Tax Time

While cyber security threats are a year 'round concern, it's much worse at tax time, when more specific risks are likely to occur. The IRS reports that, in recent years, there has been an increase of identity theft; in particular, hackers and other online scammers are increasingly attempting to steal W-2 information from small businesses. Generally, the criminals seek out HR and Payroll records, looking for employee data, but any manager or staff member may be targeted. A common tactic involves the criminal sending an email posing as an executive of the company, requesting a list of employees and their W-2s. These emails typically look authentic and come from an email address that will look legitimate at first glance. Taxpayers may also receive emails that appear to come from the IRS but they are actually phishing emails designed to upload harmful software to the user's computer or server. These attempts are also directed at tax professionals and accountants.

It is important to remember that the IRS never emails you, calls you, texts you, or contacts you on social media. The IRS always contacts you by the U.S. Postal Service.

It is in your company's best interests to address your cyber security plan sooner rather than later. Consider purchasing some form of cyber security, such as our Small Business Cyber Security Plan, but also think about these tips:

• Install cyber security software on all business computers and mobile devices that connect to your network

• Install a remote backup system; if your business becomes the victim of a cyber attack, this remote system will enable you to recover quickly.

• Encrypt sensitive data

• Train staff who open emails to identify "phishing" emails

• Develop a data breach response plan that includes information on how you will notify vendors, customers, staff, and other clients of the breach

• Regularly test your security systems and procedures

• Enable two-factor authentication wherever possible

Although the media tends to focus on data breaches that happen to large companies and corporations, millions of small businesses experience compromised data, accounts, and networks every year. Small business owners should never assume that their business is too small to be targeted; thieves who steal data and identities target the most vulnerable, not necessarily the biggest fish, so to speak. These increased risks mean that small business owners should take steps to prevent cyber attacks before one happens, costing you time and money. Learn more about our Small Business Cyber Security Plan or Sign Up Now!