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.

1. 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
7/11/20131 Confidential | Copyright 2012 Trend Micro Inc.

2. Small Businesses are at Risk on Social
Media
7/11/2013 2Confidential | Copyright 2012 Trend Micro Inc.
• 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.

3. 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
7/11/2013 3Confidential | Copyright 2012 Trend Micro Inc.

4. 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
7/11/2013 4Confidential | Copyright 2012 Trend Micro Inc.

5. 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
7/11/2013 5Confidential | Copyright 2012 Trend Micro Inc.

6. 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
67/11/2013 Confidential | Copyright 2012 Trend Micro Inc.

7. 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
7/11/2013 7Confidential | Copyright 2012 Trend Micro Inc.

8. 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
7/11/2013 8Confidential | Copyright 2012 Trend Micro Inc.

9. 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
7/11/2013 9Confidential | Copyright 2012 Trend Micro Inc.

10. 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
7/11/2013 10Confidential | Copyright 2012 Trend Micro Inc.

11. 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.
7/11/2013 11Confidential | Copyright 2012 Trend Micro Inc.