Our Site Got Hacked, So How Do We Fix It?

Cybercrime is an unfortunate part of the digital world, but it’s also an increasing problem for both personal and business websites.

For business sites in particular, it’s imperative the proper steps are taken after a hacking incident occurs in order to secure not only sensitive company information, but customer information as well.

So, what exactly should your business do if its online livelihood is hacked and what are some ways to prevent hackers from infiltrating your system a second time?

Recovering from Cyber Attack

Promptly taking action after hacking has occurred is the best strategy. Considering your business’s site is vulnerable and your information is up for grabs after an attack, wasting time will only add to the damage.

Here are a handful of post-hacking steps to follow that’ll get your business world back on its feet:

Evaluate and Assess – The first step in recovering from an online attack is evaluating what went wrong and assessing the damage. Your main objective as a business is to figure out what information was compromised and notify any customers in case their information was compromised too.

Notify the Authorities – Hackers are incredibly difficult to track and trace, but regardless of whether or not it’s possible to bring the cyber criminals to justice, the authorities should be notified. And, in the case of identity theft, the FBI’s involvement is necessary for further investigation.

Identify the Weakness – Every network has vulnerable points, so it’s crucial you find exactly where the hackers infiltrated your system. Maybe it was due to an outdated firewall or an email phishing scam with a malicious link or even a non-secure wireless network. Either way, identifying the weakness is the first step in preventing another attack.

Prevention

Once your business is a victim of hacking, you have a vested interest in preventing another attack from happening.

And, although there are many steps your business can take in order to beef up online security, there are a few main security measures that lay the groundwork for a virtually hacker-proof network.

Install Antivirus Software – Antivirus software that prevents malicious activities like malware and spyware is a great direction to take when securing your business’s online network. If your business’s network involves multiple computers, there is anti-viral software available that protects numerous devices including laptops and other mobile devices connected to your network.

Change Passwords Frequently – Passwords are the primary point of entry for cyber criminals, so try to change your system passwords and login information on a regular basis. Likewise, don’t store passwords on any device and make sure the passwords themselves are strong.

Install a Firewall – Installing a network firewall is another great way to keep unwanted visitors out of your system and your business. A firewall controls your incoming and outgoing network traffic and determines who is, and more importantly, who isn’t allowed in your network.

Update Regularly – Updating your system and its security features on a regular basis is a must. Downloading and installing recommended updates as well as upgrades will ensure your business’s online activities are up-to-date and well protected from the newest forms of cybercrime.

When it comes to online crime, knowing what to do when your business’s site is attacked and also knowing how to prevent future hacking attempts is half the battle.