Should You Repair Your Computer or Buy a New One?

If you have a small business that has grown to the point where you need to start using a local network with a dedicated file server, then it is important you know how to keep all of your sensitive data secure.

Tip: Require Unique Access Accounts for Each Network User

Every person who accesses your network and file server must have their own unique access account. This is necessary because it gives you a record of documents that have been accessed and allows your company to control who has access to what information. When you give the account information to your staff, remind them that they are not to share their codes with other people and are responsible for any files accessed under their names. When someone leaves your company, you should deactivate their computer access to ensure that they do not access your network.

Tip: Password Protect Your Wi-Fi Router and Do Not Give the Password Out to Non-Staff

If you have decided to use a wireless network in your office, then it is important for you to put a password on the router and enable its encryption. Grant access to each of the computers on your network to the router by joining the network with each device using the wi-fi password. Do not give out the password or offer wi-fi services to people outside of your own company to keep your network safe.

Tip: Install Antivirus and Antispyware Software on All Computers and Servers on the Network

When you have multiple computers all accessing the same file server, it is vital that each computer, as well as the server itself, have up-to-date antivirus and antispyware software installed on them. This will keep your employees from passing viruses and spyware between each other as they share documents. It is important to eliminate the risk of spyware and viruses because they cause security problems for your network and can leave it open to attack from hackers.

Tip: Consider Hiring an IT Professional to Set Up and Maintain Your Network

Finally, if you do not have a lot of experience with information technology products, you should consider hiring or contracting an IT professional to set up and manage your business's computer network. A professional network manager will know about all of the most up-to-date ways to keep your sensitive business data safe and secure, making their services a good investment for your company.