{"id":109781,"date":"2024-07-23T15:42:43","date_gmt":"2024-07-23T15:42:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.expatinfodesk.com\/?p=109781"},"modified":"2024-07-24T06:02:58","modified_gmt":"2024-07-24T06:02:58","slug":"cybersecurity-mistakes-expat-entrepreneurs-make-with-their-online-business","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.expatinfodesk.com\/cybersecurity-mistakes-expat-entrepreneurs-make-with-their-online-business\/","title":{"rendered":"Cybersecurity Mistakes Expat Entrepreneurs Make With their Online Business"},"content":{"rendered":"

Many expats start online businesses, seeing how this allows them to profit from something they\u2019re already great at, such as belonging to two worlds at the same time. This way, they can keep earning a standard income for their homeland (and higher) while living abroad, keeping all the privileges and sacrificing nothing.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, being an online entrepreneur is not easy.<\/span><\/p>\n

For them, not taking care of their cybersecurity is the equivalent of leaving your physical store unlocked during the night in a particularly rough neighborhood.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

To help you avoid this kind of recklessness, here are the top five cybersecurity mistakes that could easily ruin your online business.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"cybersecurity
\nSource<\/a><\/p>\n

1. Not using adequate cybersecurity tools<\/h3>\n

The bulk of your cybersecurity comes down to the set of tools you\u2019re using. In other words, there\u2019s this one super-specific tool that helps you resolve one hyper-specific problem or a set of problems.<\/p>\n

For instance, how do you handle antiviruses? You install an antivirus. An antivirus provides passive protection, which means that it automatically detects threats, performs scans, and gives you notifications and suggestions. All you have to do is download the right software, pay for it (or register for a free plan), and let it do its magic.<\/p>\n

Other than an antivirus, you also need a VPN<\/a>. This way, you can avoid geo-restrictions but, more importantly, get access to additional encryption and keep your IP address safe. You would be surprised at the amount of unwanted attention entrepreneurs get online, which is why you need to put this requirement near the top of your priority list. It\u2019s also why you don\u2019t want just to pick a tool randomly.<\/p>\n

Ideally, expat employers, digital nomads<\/a> and expat employees will find something with features that excel at your intended use. Not only that, you also want something great for all your devices. According to tech expert Nick Saraev from Techopedia, most expats use a wide variety of devices (from mobile and tablets to laptops). It is, therefore, a priority that you pick a decent VPN for mobile devices<\/a> – it\u2019s important to stay safe when on the go on your mobile, not just when working from your desk on your laptop.<\/p>\n

Also, as an online business<\/a> owner, you\u2019ll use so many different platforms and tools, and you need a strong and unique password for each and every one of them. The best way to get there is to start using a password manager.<\/p>\n

2. Ignoring software updates<\/h3>\n

Speaking of software, cyber threats develop at an astounding pace, which is why your methods of protection need to evolve, as well. This is why updates matter<\/a> so much.<\/p>\n

This is especially important regarding your online presence (your extensions and site features).<\/p>\n

The best thing that an antivirus or an anti-malware software can promise you is zero-day protection. This means that it can protect you against every threat that is known in the present day. In other words, the team is confident that their tools can protect you from all the currently known problems and that they\u2019re updating at such a pace that, even if something new were to appear, they would patch it immediately.<\/p>\n

Speaking of exploits, you must understand a few things. The longer they\u2019re undiscovered, the longer it takes for malicious online parties to learn about them and develop methods that will let them take advantage of them. Now, with every new patch, you\u2019re virtually signalling the problem to the online community (as a brag that you\u2019ve fixed it); however, you\u2019re also exposing the non-updated users.<\/p>\n

The best way to avoid this problem is by automatically updating automatically but manually checking if all your software is up to date. This doesn\u2019t take more than a few seconds at a time, and it can save everything.<\/p>\n

Laying good foundations from the start<\/a> and making all your solutions systemic is the key to resilience and longevity in the business world.<\/p>\n

\"Cybersecurity-Mistakes\"<\/h3>\n

3. Poor employee training<\/h3>\n

When running a business, it doesn\u2019t matter how much you know when every single employee you have is a liability. The slip doesn\u2019t have to happen on your end or due to a fallacy in the software that you\u2019re using. It can be as simple as your employee not having a strong enough password or giving their phone\/laptop to someone who\u2019s not trustworthy.<\/p>\n

So, you need to invest more heavily in employee training and insist on testing and evaluating their preparedness. You need to have a lot of good onboarding material and constantly improve on what they already know.<\/p>\n

The three most important things you need to teach them are to:<\/p>\n