Cyber threats aren’t just something that huge conglomerates have to account for. Even if you run a tiny startup, you’re still potentially a sitting duck. In fact, in 2019, over half of British firms reported experiencing some sort of cyber-attack, indicating just how big a problem this is.
Therefore, focusing on how secure the tech is within a company is crucial. Taking the right steps early can prevent data breaches that see information and money falling into the wrong hands.
Cybercriminals launch attacks on businesses of all sizes, so it’s important that you’re aware of potential threats to your business. Here is a look at the most common cyber security threats and how you can tackle them.
Phishing attacks
These are the most common and damaging attacks on small businesses. Here, fake emails are sent disguised as legitimate sources. These emails usually contain a link or attachment that, when clicked on or accessed, allows attackers access to sensitive information.
If this happens via company emails, everything from company accounts to personnel details could be open and ready for attackers to access.
To tackle this type of attack, investing in security measures designed to check for malicious emails and catch anything that looks suspicious can prevent these fake communications from getting through. Take the time to ensure your email security gateway is robust.
Weak passwords
If you always use the same passwords for everything or happily share passwords with people you think you can trust, you could place your company at risk of a breach. By having a weak or easy-to-guess password, hackers can use their know-how to gain access to your systems. This could be catastrophic, especially if they’re able to access not only the business’s money but also your employees’ bank accounts.
The first basic step is to set up strong passwords that are tough to crack. Use a mixture of symbols and numbers and play around with deliberately misspelling words to make them harder to crack. For added peace of mind, consider bringing in a password management system that will suggest strong passwords for you.
Malware attacks
Trojans and viruses, known as malware, are another huge threat. This is a malicious set of coding that, once accessed, can damage your computer systems and allow hackers access to your data and sensitive information.
By downloading the damaging coding, you could find that you have to pay for replacement tech and deal with the fallout of any information that’s been accessed.
Investing in defense software can protect devices. Adding security by not allowing certain web pages to be accessed can also be a key preventative measure.
Should things get out of hand and you need to seek legal advice, there are dedicated legal teams to handle cyber-attacks. You don’t have to be a huge corporation to seek legal advice from firms like Withers. These skilled professionals understand cyber security threats and will work with you if you encounter a breach.
However, taking preventative measures is a good first step towards protecting yourself and your company.
