fh Oh to ‘New. 5 fH “Ho WAC ve wee ki Ajewe ohn te HOt {2 sd ye ayeer b 14 nag we wa a q 1 RAKES >i : Notes): Online Security: A Big Issue For Small Businesses (NAPSA)—Fora small business, online access and communication via broadband mayoffer big benefits—but what abouttherisks? Hacking, viruses and worms are just a few of the risks a company faces, often unknowingly, every time an employee connects to the Internet. Connecting to the Internet is like opening your front door...the entire time that door is open, just about anyone, or anything, can pass throughif the proper safeguards aren’t in place. Hackers, viruses, worms and the like, don’t discriminate by companysize: large or small, they are constantly trying to find a way into your business. If you want to prevent unauthorized access to your computers, start with the basics: Install a Firewall. A firewall acts as a security guard at the “door” to the Internet. It examines and protects all communications (e-mail, Web pages, file downloads, etc.) attempting to pass between the Internet and your network. A firewall should always be yourfirst line of defense. Secure Remote Access Connections. If you, or any of your employees need to connect to your business from a remote location, a VPN, or Virtual Private Network, might be right for you. VPNs ensure that communications trav- eling over the Internet are secure by encrypting information before it hits cyber-space, making it unreadable to hackers and others and ensuringits privacy. According to experts, many small businesses leave the “door wide open”to hackers when connecting with the Internet. Protect Against Viruses. Anti- virus software screens incoming data for viruses that can infect your computer and do permanent damage—e-mail is the most common way they get in—and stops virus threats before they can infect your computer. * Don’t forget: If you connect to the Internet via broadband, and you don’t have the right security in place, it increases the chance your company will becomethe victim of hackers, wormsand viruses. To cover all the security basics in one simple step, consider purchasing a multi-purpose security device that contains all of the basics outlined above, such as a CheckPointSafe@security appliance. For more information visit www.checkpoint.com/products.
