Hackers today have many ways to attack small businesses and business owners. Many attempt to use technology to send malware, viruses, or phishing attacks; or use information to con owners and employees into handing over more information than they should.
One or more of these techniques can be combined with gaining physical access to steal from vulnerable firms. Identifying precisely how criminals target businesses and what they deem most valuable can help to protect your business from these attacks.
Remaining vigilant and informed is one of the most vital things you can do as a business owner to protect your assets and reputation.
Extortion
Different types of attacks tend to rise and fall in popularity. Security software wasn’t as advanced or as widely used as it is today. Today ransomware has seen an unfortunate boom in popularity. This technology aims to encrypt the target’s files on their personal computer. This technique denies the victim access and charges a large fee in exchange for the key to retrieve the victim’s own data.
Are you in threat of a ransomware attack? Check out our previous blog in which we discuss what to do if you’re a ransomware victim.
Targeting Customer Records
One of the most important things for your firm to take care of is your customer data records. These details are extremely valuable to hackers or criminals who, either use them personally or sell them on to someone who will. Many regions have strict laws and guidelines about how this information must be stored, accessed and protected. Failing to follow these can result in severe penalties that could devastate any company.
Targeting Financial Information
Like personal information, a small business must take extreme care when storing customer financial information. The impact on your business reputation following a breach of financial data will be severe and devastating. Even a simple mistake can require years of advertising and great PR to repair. Many firms have failed to recover after losing the trust of their customers.
Social Engineering
Most firms today run good IT security packages to protect against online attacks and other forms of malware. Attackers often know to take their methods offline to achieve the best results. Small businesses can often be used to gather information on vendors and suppliers they do business with in order to attack them too.
Keeping Small Business Safe
Each of these targets and attacks are just some of the most popular and hard-hitting attacks out there now. Some can be defended against with great security, backups, and software. Read our Tech Tips for Small Business Owners in 2022 here.
If you need help tightening your business’s security, contact us today.
