According to security company Symantec, more than 60 per cent of all cyber-attacks globally are targeted at small and medium businesses.

To help reduce these attacks, NAB Head of Cyber Security Nicholas Scott said that there are simple measures small and medium business owners can put in place to help protect their businesses against cybercrime.

“As part of the Federal Government’s Stay Smart Online Week we want to help our small business customers understand how to keep their business information secure,” Nicholas said.

“There are simple steps small business customers can take to make their business is a hard target for cyber criminals, these include securing your systems, protecting your data and an oldie but a goodie, having a strong password.”

Here are Nicholas’ four top tips:

1. Secure your systems

• Make sure anti-virus, anti-spyware and firewall software is installed, working and up-to-date; and
• Uninstall any programs you don’t use.

2. Protect your data

• Regularly back-up your data and store it offsite.

3. Use strong, different passwords

• Build strong passwords using letters, numbers and symbols; and
• Use a different password for each of your accounts.

4. Be vigilant on who has access

• Employees in your business should have their own login credentials; and
• Remove administration rights from computers that don’t need it.

For more information on how to protect your small business from cybercrime visit staysmartonline.gov.au