"Cyberproofing Small and Medium Businesses—a Small Step With a Big Impact"

Small businesses are often more vulnerable to cyberattacks because they lack the time, resources, and, in some cases, skills to prepare for and defend against an attack, as well as to mitigate and remedy any consequences. Therefore, the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI), in collaboration with the .au Domain Administration (auDA), developed a tool called .auCheck to assist businesses in quickly and easily testing the security of their websites. The tool is designed to help businesses improve their internet security practices. Australia has 2.3 million small businesses, and although not all of them have an active or extensive online presence, the COVID-19 pandemic has made them increasingly reliant on the secure use of the Internet. According to the Australian Cyber Security Centre's most recent threat assessment, small businesses, sole proprietorships, medium-sized businesses, schools, and supply chain contributors are among the entities most affected by cybercrime and state-sponsored cyber operations. On .auCheck, a user can enter a domain name to check whether its settings meet recommended standards. They can also check their current Internet connection's configuration. These tests verify the Internet records for the domain name and do not involve penetration testing. The most important standards tested by .auCheck include protocols that enable the establishment of encrypted connections, the security of regular website applications such as online forms, the application of a set of authenticity marks in a user's email that helps against phishing attacks, and more. Business owners are urged to discuss the results of their .auCheck tests with their IT providers and make informed decisions pertaining to the security elements essential to their online presence. This article continues to discuss the purpose and capabilities of the .auCheck tool. 

ASPI reports "Cyberproofing Small and Medium Businesses—a Small Step With a Big Impact"