As a small to medium-sized business (SMB) owner in Houston, you know that every dollar counts. Investing in advanced cybersecurity tools, like 24/7 network monitoring or Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR), is critical. But before you open your wallet, there are foundational security upgrades you can implement right now, today, that cost absolutely nothing but a few minutes of your time.

At Krypto IT, we believe that good security hygiene is the most effective defense. By taking these five cost-free, high-impact steps, your SMB can immediately close off some of the most common entry points for cybercriminals.

1. Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) Everywhere

This is the single most effective step you can take, and it’s almost always free. Most major platforms—Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, social media, banking, and cloud apps—offer MFA at no extra charge.

• The Problem: Over 80% of data breaches involve weak or stolen passwords. If a hacker steals a password via phishing, they get in.
• The Fix: MFA requires a second verification (a code sent to your phone or generated by an app) after entering a password. Even if a criminal has the password, they are stopped cold.
• Actionable Step: Make MFA mandatory for every single employee on every critical application they use, especially email and VPN/remote access. This requires zero hardware investment.

2. Disable SMBv1 (The Legacy Back Door)

SMBv1 is a decades-old file-sharing protocol that is dangerously vulnerable to attacks like WannaCry and NotPetya. Microsoft has urged users to disable it for years.

• The Problem: SMBv1 contains unpatchable, fundamental flaws that hackers actively exploit to spread ransomware laterally across a network.
• The Fix: Disabling SMBv1 on your servers and workstations eliminates a massive attack vector. Modern systems (Windows 10, 11, and current servers) use the secure SMBv2/v3 protocols.
• Actionable Step: Krypto IT can guide you on safely disabling SMBv1 across your network without disrupting modern services. For a DIY approach, ensure all critical legacy devices are updated or isolated.

3. Implement the Principle of Least Privilege (PoLP)

This is a mindset change that costs nothing but offers enormous risk reduction, particularly against the Insider Threat.

• The Problem: Employees are often given more access than they need (“over-privileged”). If a marketing intern’s account is compromised, the hacker can potentially access financial records or HR data.
• The Fix: PoLP dictates that every user only has the bare minimum access required to do their job. Limit administrative rights, limit file access, and limit access to sensitive systems.
• Actionable Step: Review every employee’s permissions. Remove administrative rights from all general user accounts. If an employee changes roles, revoke all old access immediately. This dramatically limits the “blast radius” of any compromised account.

4. Secure Your Router’s Default Credentials

Your office or remote employee’s router is the gateway to your business network, yet it often still uses the easily guessed factory default username and password (e.g., admin/password).

• The Problem: Hackers use automated tools to scan for default router passwords. If found, they gain control of your primary firewall/router, rerouting traffic, spying on data, or installing malicious firmware.
• The Fix: Change the default administrator login for your router/modem immediately.
• Actionable Step: Log into your router’s administrative interface and change the default username and password to something long, complex, and unique. Then, check for any available free firmware updates and install them.

5. Segment Your Wi-Fi (The Guest Network Rule)

If you offer guest Wi-Fi for customers or visitors, that network must be completely separate from the one your employees and servers use.

• The Problem: An unvetted device (a visitor’s phone, a contractor’s laptop) on your primary Wi-Fi could introduce malware, or a hacker could use it to launch an internal scan of your corporate network.
• The Fix: Network Segmentation—using the built-in guest network feature on your router or firewall—creates a digital wall between your business data and outside visitors.
• Actionable Step: Ensure your guest Wi-Fi is enabled and isolated from your main network. Never give customers or visitors the password to your primary business network.

The Biggest Cost Is Delay

These five steps require no new hardware, no software licenses, and no monthly fees. They simply require a commitment to best practices. Ignoring them is the most expensive mistake your SMB can make, as they are the first things a cybercriminal looks for.

If you don’t have the time or confidence to implement these critical changes safely, that’s exactly why you need an MSP. Krypto IT specializes in translating these foundational best practices into simple, managed services for Houston SMBs, ensuring that your free security upgrades are done correctly.

Ready to boost your security posture without touching your budget?

Contact Krypto IT today for a complimentary security check-up, and let us help you implement these cost-free, high-impact fixes.