| Most people would think that home office security | | | | retrieve your layout and do your printing job. Once the |
| meant putting up a burglar alarm on their front door. Did | | | | job is complete, you then take home your company |
| you know that your computer system is the most | | | | stationary packs and flash drive. You insert the flash |
| probable security risk in your home office? Even | | | | drive back into your computer. Voila! A hidden virus |
| receiving what appear to be regular email files in | | | | from the printing shop has found its way to your flash |
| conjunction with your business needs can put your | | | | drive and now into your computer system. |
| computer at risk. The biggest danger is someone | | | | Another potential problem is your business associates, |
| sending a virus and crashing your system. The | | | | suppliers and consumers. With each person you |
| definition for a virus is "Vital Information Resource | | | | interact with on the Internet, a chain is created. You |
| Under Siege". There are a huge number of hackers, | | | | feel confident that your contacts are all protected with |
| crackers and virus programs on the Internet with tons | | | | proper security. However, if even one of them is |
| of spyware and hidden programs. Business owners do | | | | compromised then you and your business are at great |
| not need to be afraid of doing transactions, ordering | | | | risk. |
| supplies and corresponding via the Internet. The key is | | | | Some people scoff at the idea of paying for Internet |
| to have a home office security set up. | | | | security subscriptions or programs. They do not feel |
| Security passwords are a vital piece of information | | | | that there is any need because they know how to |
| that is stored in your computer. This information is also | | | | protect themselves and a virus will not invade their |
| at risk for you slipping up and mentioning something to | | | | system. The cost of virus detection programs can be |
| an acquaintance, business correspondent or friend. It is | | | | a little pricy and unfortunately some business owners |
| important to try and maintain the integrity of your | | | | skip purchasing this office supply. Yet, the cost of |
| system by not disclosing personal or vital information | | | | losing a client's vital information such as credit card |
| that can then be used to obtain passwords when the | | | | numbers is even more costly then purchasing |
| computer is unattended. | | | | appropriate security system equipment and |
| The Internet is vital to the success of many home | | | | subscriptions. In fact, it could cause the home based |
| business owners. Yet, using the Internet can leave the | | | | company to go completely out of business. |
| business owner very vulnerable to security problems. | | | | How do you minimize the home office risk? |
| What is the solution? Let's leave this an open question | | | | One of the key factors to minimize home office |
| for the moment. | | | | security risks is to have a strong firewall with security |
| Suppose that you choose to not use the Internet at all | | | | filters. Also, it is important to have the ability to encrypt |
| for your security purposes. You should be protected | | | | data. Purchase software that is set to detect virus |
| from those nasty virus programs that can invade your | | | | and spyware software. Any employees hired should |
| system. The problem arises when you use your | | | | be made aware of security problems and be |
| CD-ROMS, flash drives or flopppy disks. You create a | | | | pro-active in following security procedures your |
| beautiful layout for your company stationary. You | | | | company has in place. Be responsible when making |
| store it on the flash drive. Not wanting to use the | | | | Internet transactions and conversing with people in |
| Internet, you take the flash drive to the local print shop. | | | | general. Following these guidelines should minimize the |
| They then insert the flash drive into their computer to | | | | home office security risk. |