Small business hacking is becoming more prevalent. The
payoff isn’t as big but the opportunity is greater and security is lacking.
Security firm Symantec reported in 2016 that 43% of cyber attacks were against
small business. Small businesses have little in the way of security and employee
training. They often have more to lose in the sense that they have less cash
flow or all of their money is tied up in their business. Making them more
likely to pay ransoms. (Ransomware is explained in more detail in our post-If you ever want to see your files again…)
Attacks can be as simple as rerouting the web address to a
porn site, locking all of the computers for a ransom, all the way to hacking
financial data and cleaning out bank accounts. More than half of the companies attacked
were forced to go out of business. Maintaining sound computer security cannot
be emphasized enough.
The website Small Business Trends, in an article posted
January 3, 2017, stated that 48% of attacks are caused by an employee error. In
addition to updating security software one of the biggest defenses owners can
deploy is educating their employees on cyber attack indicators. The malware has
to enter the system somehow. Simply clicking on attachments will send the virus
into the network to do its work. The more stealthy viruses will enter the
system without a show of existence. These are meant to mine data from the
system. By the time you find the virus the bank accounts are fleeced.
Regularly train employees on different types of attacks and
how to defend against them. Establish a policy for computer usage. Explain what
is acceptable Internet use. Malware can be injected via email attachments or
links to websites. These links can be introduced through email or social media.
Demonstrate what a suspicious email, link, social media contact looks like.
Practice solid password policies and change regularly. Encourage employees to
speak up when something is suspicious and do not click on the suspicious
activity.
Even if you do not think you store valuable data, although
customer records are a valuable commodity, the chance of losing your business
data or risking a financial attack is too great a chance to take.
See our blog
archive for other posts relating to cyber security:
