Cybersecurity can seem like a daunting task for the inexperienced. It's too complicated to tackle myself, you might think. And it's too pricey to hire a team or service to handle it for me.

While this might sound true to some small business owners, it's actually a huge gamble to leave your SMB vulnerable to cybercriminal attacks. Thankfully, data breach insurance coverage is affordable for companies of all sizes and can help safeguard your brand from financial damages brought on by cyber threats. But there are also other ways to shore up your digital defenses. And one of the cheapest is to simply avoid the worst online habits.

Having a Lax Attitude Towards Cybersecurity

Did you know that nearly half of all cyberattacks target small businesses? While massive data breachess "“ like the ones that struck Equifax and Yahoo "“ usually make the nightly news, SMBs are more likely to be hit by criminal activity. That's because hackers know that small companies like yours often lack the security chops of a larger enterprise. While it may seem like a hassle, investing in cybersecurity is essential for the survival of your small business.

Lacking Email Protections

Believe it or not, email theft is still one of the most popular cybercrimes in existence. Knowing this, it's absolutely vital that you do more to protect your emails from cyber snoopers. Remember to use strong, unique password protections for all your email accounts and turn on two-step verification.

Opening Suspicious Materials

Another issue is being too 'click happy' on suspicious emails, links, and downloads. These can open you up to phishing scams, malware downloads, and ransomware attacks. Repairing damages from these threats could cost your business thousands of dollars. So be smart, and click safely.

Failing to Back Up Data

Let's say for a moment that you are struck by ransomware. What do you do? Well, if your network and all your devices are locked down by the bug, then there isn't much you can do. But if you backed up your most valuable data to an on-site server, cloud-based storage container, or third-party database, then you can rest easy knowing that you have secured some information away from the hacker.

Using Public Wi-Fi

It might surprise you to learn that free public Wi-Fi isn't all it's cracked up to be. Sure, it's great for pursuing the news while you sip lattes at the local coffee shop. But if you are using public Wi-Fi or a shared connection to run your business, you are inviting catastrophe. That's because hackers can spy on information traveling to and from your computer. That's why banking and e-commerce websites will often recommend that users avoid using open network connections.

Forgoing Data Breach Insurance Coverage

In the end, the absolute worst thing you can do for your business is to shun data breach insurance coverage. Think about it: If you are struck by a cyberattack or data breach, you are on the line for the financial obligation on your own. This includes damage assessment, repairs, and, in some cases, even litigation. Avoid this with data breach insurance from a reputable provider.

Learn more about data breach insurance by visiting CyberPolicy today!