04/10/20231 Confidential | Copyright 2012 Trend Micro Inc.

Social media is now integrated into the marketing efforts of most companies. There are many opportunities for businesses using social media, but there can also be some security risks, as social media networks are a target for malicious activity.

Noah Gamer, Internet Strategist for Trend Micro, has compiled the top ways businesses can ensure their information is safe and secure on social media.

7 Ways Businesses Can Protect Themselves on Social Media

04/10/2023 2Confidential | Copyright 2012 Trend Micro Inc.

Small Businesses are at Risk on Social Media• Small businesses tend to have fewer

resources available to monitor and combat cyber threats

• Small businesses tend to have a false sense of security; they don’t think they are large enough to be a target of cyber attacks

• Employees can “overshare” on social media, publically releasing confidential company information

• Employees may not recognize the signs of a cyber attack

Follow these next seven steps to keep your small business safe and secure on social media.

04/10/2023 3Confidential | Copyright 2012 Trend Micro Inc.

1. Create a Social Media Policy

• Set standards for who can use social media at work and how often

• Include information on how employees can use personal devices on company networks

• Detail what company information is confidential and should not be shared

• Routinely check to ensure policies are being followed

04/10/2023 4Confidential | Copyright 2012 Trend Micro Inc.

2. Educate Employees

• Train employees on social media policy and best practices surrounding social media

• Many cyber attacks are due to employees accidentally bringing malware into a corporate network. Educate employees on how to recognize phishing schemes, scams and viruses

04/10/2023 5Confidential | Copyright 2012 Trend Micro Inc.

3. Be Smart About Passwords

• Make sure company passwords are changed regularly (about every two months)

• Passwords should be complex -- include both upper and lower case letters, as well as numbers and special characters

• Only share the passwords with trusted individuals

• Don’t use the same password across multiple accounts

04/10/2023 6Confidential | Copyright 2012 Trend Micro Inc.

4. URL Filtering

• Depending on your company’s policy, you may choose to limit access to social networks to those who need to use it for business purposes

• URL filtering is also beneficial if an employee unknowingly clicks on a social media link that leads to a compromised website or inappropriate content

04/10/2023 7Confidential | Copyright 2012 Trend Micro Inc.

5. Install Antivirus Software

• Up-to-date antivirus software is essential to protect your business from the latest social networking threats

• If an employee does bring malware from a social network into the corporate network, antivirus software can protect your company

04/10/2023 8Confidential | Copyright 2012 Trend Micro Inc.

6. Mobile Protection

• Social networks are often accessed from mobile devices

• Ensure employees have a password on their mobile devices

• Have a plan in place for when an employee’s phone is lost or stolen

04/10/2023 9Confidential | Copyright 2012 Trend Micro Inc.

7. Be Prepared for a Crisis

• Chances are your company will experience some type of social media crisis, whether it is a hacked social media account, disgruntled employee or a virus

• Implement a detailed social media crisis communication plan and train employees, so that they can react in real time when a crisis occurs

04/10/2023 10Confidential | Copyright 2012 Trend Micro Inc.

Summary

• Small businesses are at risk for cyber attacks and loss of company information through social media

• These cyber threats can be mitigated by following seven simple steps to ensure safety and security

• Easy to use security solutions are available to help small businesses that don’t have the time and resources to dedicate to social media security

04/10/2023 11Confidential | Copyright 2012 Trend Micro Inc.

Concerned about social media cyber threats and your small business? Contact Trend Micro to learn about Worry-Free™ Business Security.

Designed specifically for organizations with limited IT resources, Trend Micro Worry-Free™ Business Security automatically stops threats before they can reach your business.