Is Your Credit Card Information At Risk With Small Business And Retailers
By: Stuart Crawford
s your credit card information at risk when you visit your local retailer? We all would like to believe that our local retailer or favorite restaurant is keeping your personal and credit/debit card information secure and out of the hands of those who want to commit fraud against many honest people doing business today. This is what I thought once I received my Visa bill one month to see $1,500.00 of liquor purchases and pizzas on my monthly statement. I was a victim of Credit Card fraud.According to a number of industry experts, smaller business and retailers are not taking the required steps to ensure that the credit and debit card purchases made by their patrons are secure. Even today, credit card information is still being stored on local computer systems that are not protected or up to date. Many small businesses are failing to protect their networks with firewall solutions that can protect retailers from trojans and other malicious code from being installed on systems because of inappropriate web surfing being allowed in smaller retailers or attempts at stealing information via wireless connections or over the Internet.
Until recently, the payment card industry’s training was not up to par to educate small business merchants in what it took to ensure their transaction information was occurring in a secure manner. As of the end of July 2007, Visa USA has started to require that some 250 or so credit card processors begin to share their plans to ensure that all credit card transactions happen in a secure manner.
In May of this year, the State of Minnesota passed the Plastic Card Security Act. The act clearly states that any business that wishes to do business in Minnesota must comply with the regulations around storing credit card information. The law took effect in August and holds the business owner and business liable for the costs associated with breaches or fraudulent transactions.
Why does credit card still occur in today’s world?
•Lack of knowledge – Many small business owners, retailers and restaurant owners are busy in their day to day businesses (working in their business and not on their business) and not up to speed with the current regulations to secure their patrons information from unauthorized use.
•Out of date systems – Many smaller based businesses do not have the resources to keep their computer systems up to date to ensure that credit card numbers are not stored on systems or they run older versions of software that does not offer the encryption needed when processing credit or debit transactions.
•Lack of perimeter security – I have seen this many times in small business, they fail to secure their systems with a robust and scalable firewall solution. They usually plug their Internet connection right into the back of their computer and do not employ a proper firewall solution or they purchase a router from their local office supply store that has no unified threat management security built into these devices. Firewalls such as the SonicWALL TZ180 will ensure that restaurants, retailers and small business are secure from threats on the Internet today, protect from network intrusions, spyware and virus attacks and inappropriate Internet use.
•Open wireless – Hackers can easily get into your system through an open wireless connection in a matter of seconds, they can connect, get the information they need and disconnect before you even realize that something has happened. This information is then openly sold on the Internet. Is your Wireless network secured with the best security encryption and mechanisms to ensure your customers’ information is secure?
What can your business do?
•Invest in a technology audit – An evaluation of your computer network by a certified professional will easily show you areas of vulnerabilities within your computer network and Internet/Wireless security. An audit when completed successfully will list all areas that require attention with recommendations to get you on the road towards compliance.
•Hire the best IT support – Once your evaluation is completed, having a trusted IT partner and advisor will ensure that your business systems stay up to date. This will ensure that you are protected from newly identified security threats that exist on the Internet and how these issues may affect your business systems. Hiring a Microsoft Small Business Specialist and SonicWALL Gold Partner will ensure that your network is properly cared for.
•Upgrade systems and software – It may become necessary to update your computer systems and your software to the versions that address the requirements laid out by the credit card and financial institutions. The latest versions of Windows and Microsoft Office are available and offer update security systems to protect your business.
•Learn more about PCI DSS – What is PCI DSS? PCI Data Security Standards ensure that your customer’s information is stored securely and that transactions occur in a secured manner. It is critically important that you invest the time to learn how the rules and requirements detailed in Payment Card Infrastructure compliance. Ignorance of the upcoming and current changes may just be the beginning of your challenges. On top of the investments needed once a breach has occurred many businesses may also have fines related to due diligence not being done in your business.
Many small business, restaurants and retail owners are not computer people, running out to the local computer or office supply store and investing in a low cost router is not enough to secure your business. It is a must to have a small business specialist and security professional that can recommend the right solution for you. Unified Threat Management firewalls can protect your business in the manner that will ensure your customer’s payment card information is secured the threats on the Internet, secured from hacking attempts and other business threats that are introduced when an employee uses the Internet or your systems for inappropriate use.
Also a computer support company that can take the hassle of technology off your plate with a structured maintenance plan that consists of monitoring your network, managing your systems and proactive support may just save your business from the loss of creditability associated with a breach or the hefty fines that may occur when a breach occurs on your network.
Hackers are out there 24/7, Internet and network security is not just a local problem. Hackers can be on the other side of the world or parked outside your restaurant or business. What are you willing to lose by not taking steps today to secure your business from those trying to exploit it?
About: Stuart Crawford is the Director of Business Development for IT Matters Inc., Calgary, Alberta’s award winning Microsoft Small Business Specialist. He can be reached at scrawford@itmatters.ca or via their website http://www.itmatters.ca IT Matters offers small businesses, retail shops and restaurants in the Calgary areas with quality IT solutions built on best practices. IT Matters is a Microsoft Small Business Specialist and SonicWALL Gold Partner. Stuart just released his second book for the Small Business IT industry entitled “Do you have IT? Get it online today at http://www.doyouhaveitbook.com
Source: Ezinearticles.com
Credit Card Debt Management - Erase Debts In An Easy Manner
By: Natasha Anderson
Credit card debt is considered as the worst debt as the debtor has to fork out very high interest and late payment fees and other charges only makes the life harder for the credit card holder. Surely every credit card holder would like to pay off the debts as soon as possible for early relief. Credit card debt management comes handy in such a situation. There are many ways for managing credit card debt and the suitable one depends on a card holder’s circumstances. However some basic solutions can provide lot of relief to the credit card debt ridden person.Credit card companies run their business on the basis of your excessive expenditure and if you are not paying in time then their business flourishes on slapping late payment fees. But at the same time, to let the card holder continue using credit card, these credit card companies and banks are willing to reduce the interest rate for easy pay off of the credit card debts. The credit card issuer knows getting back the amount will be almost impossible if you have filed for bankruptcy. So, one effective solution is to approach them for reduction in interest rate. For this purpose, the credit card holder should engage an experienced credit card debt management service provider agency for negotiating with your creditors on your behalf. Not only that these agencies will help you calculate your debts and interest so that you know the actual amount of loan you should take for paying off credit card debts.
A debt consolidation loan is considered as the most effective solution. Through debt consolidation loan you pay off the credit card debts immediately. This means high interest rate credit card debts are replaced with lower interest rate debt consolidation loan which also has the advantage of larger repayment duration. You can take debt consolidation loan against your property for more advantageous lower interest rate and easy pay off of the loan amount.
Make a budget and stick to it for controlling spending habits. Even better way would be that you reduce the number of credit cards in use and replace them with debit card for controlled spending. If you are looking for a debt management company for the help, then make sure that it is an expert of the field. Credit card debt management surely goes a long way in help you take control of credit card debts. After you have shed the debt burden, learn from past mistakes and ensure that you do not spend more than your paying capacity.
About: After having herself gone through the ordeal of loan borrowing, Natasha Anderson understands the need for good quality loan advice. To find Personal debt consolidation loans, Credit card debt management, Unsecured debt consolidation loans that best suits your needs visit http://www.ukdebtconsolidations.co.uk Source: Www.isnare.com
