With 50% of all cyber-attacks targeted at small businesses, don’t think that your business is too small to get attention.
If you are underprepared when an attack happens, you could experience a serious breach that could cause problems for not only you but your customers as well.
Continue reading to learn more about cybersecurity threats, so you can prepare your business.
1. Ransomware Attacks
Ransomware attacks are as scary as they sound since they hold your computer and data hostage until you pay the agreed-upon price.
Understand the difference between ransomware and malware is important since ransomware is worse. You can read the article at www.charlotteitsolutions.com and learn about the differences, but keeping yourself protected against both threats is the best idea.
Small businesses don’t have the time or resources to be down for a significant amount of time. Having to pay a ransom could put the business out of business, which is one of the things that makes ransomware so dangerous.
2. Problems with BYOD
People love to use their own devices to the office. Why would you have multiple computers when you can have the one that you want and use it at work and at home?
BYOD policies make it easier for employees to get work done, but they also make it less expensive for employers.
While this policy might sound like a win-win, that isn’t always the case. The reason it could be a negative for companies is that it opens them up to cybersecurity threats.
Many personal devices are easier to hack than company devices, which makes it easier for attackers to breach networks and take control.
3. Phishing Attacks
Phishing attacks can get even the best of us. Scammers are always looking for new ways to upgrade their scams and live off of someone else’s dime.
Phishing attacks might come in the form of email or even phone scams. If you aren’t sure if you requested to set your password, called about a bill, or anything similar — assume you didn’t.
4. App Fraud
There’s an app for that. We all love apps, and it’s easy to download a bunch and forget we even have them on our phones.
One of the major problems with apps is that devious apps can go undetected for long periods of time. We might have problems with our phones and not even know why, but it’s because of an app.
5. Weak Passwords
People always assume that no one is going to want to hack their accounts. They aren’t rich or famous, so why would anyone hack into their things?
While that might sound like solid logic, that’s not the case. Weak passwords allow access to computers that people can use to attack other people.
If you don’t protect yourself and create strong passwords that you change regularly, you’re going to come up against a problem when you least expect it and at the worst possible time.
6. DDoS
If you think that DDoS is a thing of the past. While this has been a long time favorite for attackers, it hasn’t slowed down.
DDoS stands for distributed denial of services. The attack floods the servers by requesting from multiple sources, which will overload the system and cause problems.
After this takes place for a while, the system won’t be able to be used anymore due to the lack of quality.
7. Outdated Hardware
Software isn’t the only problem when it comes to cybersecurity threats.
Hardware can be the culprit in some cases. Since software updates happen on a regular basis, it can be difficult for the hardware to keep up. If your devices are out of date, they may not even be able to do the updates required to keep your devices safe.
8. Third Party Exposure
If you think using third-party services is going to protect you from being responsible for a data breach — that is not the case.
Using third parties can actually hurt your business and make you vulnerable to attacks if they don’t have proper security in order. The only problem is that if your customers have the problem and you’re using this third party — the breach is your fault.
Fines and penalties can cost a pretty penny and may even put companies out of business because of how much money they’ll have to pay the people negatively affected.
9. Cloud Vulnerabilities
We all love the cloud. It makes it easier for us to get things done, and if you have a team that works remotely — the cloud is a must.
While cloud security can be helpful, it isn’t the only thing you should focus on. You need to look at all of the areas where you might be experiencing problems.
No technology is fully safe from vulnerabilities.
10. Internet of Things (IoT)
Devices from around the globe are connected through IoT. IoT allows for some pretty amazing things like the ability to receive, store, and send data.
While that might be the case, it’s also a way to hack and cause problems easily. Keeping your company safe from vulnerabilities due to IoT means keeping an eye out for anything suspicious and implementing security measures.
Stand Up Against Cybersecurity Threats
Now you know more about cybersecurity threats, and you can start protecting your business against them.
Do you feel like you need more information on security and how to implement it in your business? Our site is full of articles that can help you as you’re growing your business and keeping it safe.
Browse our site, find your favorite business articles, drop a bookmark, and come back soon for more reads.
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