Cybercriminals Are Actively Attacking Small Businesses
Is Your Company’s Data at Risk?
In a December 2017 a survey by the National Small Business Association states that within the past 12 months 64% of small businesses reported being victims of a cybercrime. Cybercriminals ARE actively attacking small business.
The average cost to recover from a cyber-attack skyrocketed from $500 per attack in 2013 to $25,752 per attack in 2017. And, of the businesses targeted, 68% said they’d been hacked more than once.
All Experts agree, cyber crooks have become more sophisticated than ever before and the threat to small businesses is going to continue…
How do you protect yourself?
Hackers use 3 common actions – below is the best way to protect yourself:
Cracking Your Password
Hackers can run programs 24/7 testing password combinations. The easier your password is to guess, the more likely it is they’ll crack it.
- Best Defense: Password length is better than complexity but a little complexity never hurts. Try to keep your password longer than 12 characters. Using a phrase or short sentence is a great way to accomplish this. Example: PleaseDontH@ckmyPassword! You can also use a password manager that generates and stores tough-to-crack passwords. For extra security, use two factor authentication when it’s offered. If may seem like a pain in the neck but it’s much easier than trying to recover from a breached system. Check your password strength using Password Monster.
Email Phishing
Will typically direct the user to visit a website where they are asked to update personal information, such as a password, credit card, social security, or bank account numbers, that the legitimate organization already has.
- Best Defense: Have a Spam filter in place either on the local computer, in the cloud or on your email server. If this is not cost effective set a company policy that prevents everyone in your company from opening files or clicking links in an e-mail unless they’re certain who it came from. If you’re not expecting the email don’t open it, if you think it might be legit but are skeptical ask an IT guy or a coworker for a second opinion.
Drive-By Download
The unintended download of computer software from the Internet. This happens when you visit what appears to be a safe website, but when you click on the wrong page, your device gets hacked by a rogue download – and what’s worse is you may not even realize it until it’s too late.
- Best Defense: Make sure your computer and browser are up-to-date with the latest security updates and patches, or set it to update automatically. Firefox or Chrome will update automatically provided you close and open them regularly. Internet Explorer, Edge or Safari will update with your windows systems. YOU ALSO NEED TO HAVE ANTI VIRUS PROTECTION!
Please note these three examples are just the most common ways of the dozens of even more complicated ways cybercriminals are breaking down and into unprepared businesses. Please remember, cybercriminals are actively attacking small business, and you could be next.
We’ve got your back! Call our office at 937-291-9900 and receive a FREE 1 Hour Security Consultation to uncover problem areas in your company’s security. Our highly trained IT Techs will come to your office and conduct a comprehensive audit.
