Only a decade ago, large companies were the almost-exclusive users of business technologies such as e-mail and high-speed Internet. But today, even the smallest businesses are reaping the benefits of the latest digital technologies. In today's competitive repair market, e-mail, Web sites, online appointment forms and electronicdirect marketing efforts are helping shops stay in constant contact with their customers, business associates and related partners.

However, the deployment and use of these technologies doesn't come without its own set of headaches. Simply put, electronic threats to information security and productivity are no longer the worries of just big corporations. By opening the doors of your business to the Internet, you face the same risks that early adopters continue to battle.

Why me?

You may think your shop is just a small fish in a big pond. But that's exactly what cyber criminals are looking for: a business that doesn't have the luxury of a fully staffed, experienced information technology (IT) department to oversee operations.

It starts with your Internet connection, especially those broadband connections so critical to a shop's day-to-day operations. Broadband connections are on the rise, both in homes and businesses; AutoInc.'s own "How's Your Business?" 2006 survey highlights the fact that more than 90 percent of the respondents connect to the Internet via DSL or cable service. You need the fast downloads and lightning-quick browsing speeds to access service information and e-mail your customers. Criminals love broadband because they can get into your computer system even quicker.

"What people don't get is that when you're connected to the Internet, the Internet is connected to you. It's a reciprocal relationship," said Steve Gibson, president of Gibson Research Corp, who was quoted in PCWorld magazine. "There is a serious, not just a hypothetical, risk - a consequence - that involves a responsibility with a connection to the Internet. Yes, it is wonderful. Yes, there is really cool stuff out there, but there are also people without your best interest at heart."

Clearswift, a Redwood City, Calif.-based firm that specializes in e-mail security products, released a 2006 white paper titled "Simplifying Content Security." In the report, it found that just a few years ago, the vast majority of business-related content resided as "structured data, living within the controlled security of corporate applications and databases." Clearswift pointed out that 80 percent of business data is held today in unstructured environments - e-mail, text documents, pdfs, presentations, and spreadsheets - and circulates freely within and outside of company environments. Consider that point in relation to your own organization.

We're not talking pranksters here

These attacks aren't just limited to the familiar spyware, viruses, Trojans and worms. Add to the list phishing, vishing, pharming, phaxing, and the deadly denial of service (DoS) attacks. Now throw in theft of equipment; data breaches, both accidental and intended, by employees, customers or vendors; and the "uncontrollable" factors, such as racial, sexual or criminal content within e-mails or planted on a Web site unbeknownst to the company. Clearly, this isn't a few college kids out for a virtual joyride.

Let's look at some clearly plausible examples of information breaches that can occur within a business:

• Your administrative assistant accidentally attaches a document containing all of your employees' salaries and e-mails it to the entire staff.
• You, in an effort to stay productive, check your e-mail from your laptop at the airport while waiting for a flight. Your customers' and employees' personal information is hijacked through the airport's unsecured, wireless system.
• A "joke" e-mail containing offensive language is passed between employees, and one worker sues for harassment.
• An inconspicuous link shows up on your Web site that leads to pages containing child pornography, triggering an investigation by the FBI.

Starting to feel a little queasy? Does the possibility of one of these breaches actually occurring - and leaking out to the media - give you a bad taste in your mouth? Well, rest assured, you aren't the only one.