Is Starbucks The Biggest Danger For Your Business ? BY RUSSELL QUINN
For a long time , Starbucks has called itself the ‘ Third Place ,’ which they defined as the place between home and work .
And while it could be a great place for a cup of coffee or to work outside the office , the truth is if you or your employees ever work from anywhere but the office , they may be exposing your entire business to danger .
Public networks like those at coffee shops and hotels are virtual playgrounds for hackers and cybercriminals . They love to hang out on these ‘ open networks ’ and attack people who use them by stealing data , passwords and even bypassing normal security to easily install malware .
Others go so far as to create ‘ evil-twin ’ public networks that others join by calling it something like “ hotel guest ” and wait for unsuspecting businesspeople to log on so they can hijack their computer .
It doesn ’ t end there .
Working from home poses its own set of issues , causing gaping holes in your security .
Even if your home network is private , chances are you or your employees don ’ t have the same firewalls and security at home as you would using the company network . aren ’ t online clicking on links that let others infiltrate their network ? Are kids as diligent about not clicking on e-mail links or opening files as you or your employees might be ?
While you may have locks on your doors and a security system on your house , once a child who lives there opens the front door , none of that security matters , and it ’ s the same online .
But it ’ s not ALL doom and gloom !
You can protect your business , your employees and your family by having an IT company that makes sure you have the proper security , systems and monitoring on these networks .
With the right security , it can even be safe to work from your favorite ‘ Third Place .’
But you can ’ t assume you ’ re protected . You need to ask your IT guy to show you documentation of how you are protected on public WiFi , at home or anywhere .
Russell Quinn is the Founder and CEO of Quinn Technology Solutions . The company is based in the Houston Metro Area . To find out more about what they do and how they can help you , please visit Quinn-Tech . com .
Even if your employees are careful , are you sure their kids
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