Computer Support: Small Businesses Need it Too

If you think that only large enterprises and international firms need to worry about computer safety, think again. According to PC World, about 31 percent of all cyber attacks in the United States last 2012 targeted small businesses that usually have little to no network security measures in place. Some of these attacks could have been avoided had these businesses regularly updated their anti-virus programs or even created a hard-to-crack password.

In any case, a lot of business owners simply don't have the technical know-how to avert network security crises. The best option for such companies would be to outsource IT support tasks to third-party providers, which is a reasonable alternative to hiring additional staff. These service providers can also regulate network traffic to ensure that all computers are communicating with each other correctly.

On the other hand, tech-savvy business owners can also take matters into their own hands and use any of the free tools or software to protect their computers from various security threats. Some of these products offer basic firewall protection and virus detection features, while others monitor wireless networks for instances of unauthorized use. Still others keep track of the company's transactions to ensure compliance with industry regulations and standards, in addition to protecting the data stored in these transactions.