Insights · Restaurants
Keeping your restaurant's card machines safe
Why restaurants get targeted
Restaurants take a lot of card payments, often run busy shared computers, and usually have guest Wi-Fi in the same building. That combination makes them a common target for card-skimming malware and scams aimed at staff.
Keep card machines off the guest Wi-Fi
Your point-of-sale terminals, office computer, and guest Wi-Fi should never share the same network. A properly set-up network keeps them separate, so a guest's infected phone can't reach the machines that handle cards. This is also one of the first things payment-card (PCI) rules expect.
Update and lock down
- Turn on automatic updates for POS software, routers, and computers.
- Change every default password on routers, cameras, and terminals.
- Give each staff member their own login instead of one shared code.
- Don't use the POS computer for email or web browsing.
Watch for phone and email scams
A common trick is a call or email pretending to be your payment processor or a vendor, asking for remote access or a password "to fix a problem." Hang up and call the number on your own contract or statement instead.
What we do for Alaska restaurants
We set up separated networks, business Wi-Fi, cameras, and phones for restaurants in Anchorage and around the state, and keep watch afterward. See our Restaurants page and the latest warnings in the Threat Center.
Quick answers
Does my restaurant need separate Wi-Fi for guests?
Yes. Guest Wi-Fi should be on its own network, kept apart from card machines and office computers.
Who can help with restaurant network security in Anchorage?
Solstice Technology installs and manages restaurant networks, Wi-Fi, cameras and phones in Anchorage and across Alaska. Call (907) 312-1411.