In most cases, large companies that got hit by cyberattacks take the attention of the media. But did you know that most cyberattacks that took place last year targeted small businesses, those with less than 250 employees. Cybercrime is evolving and it has become a big and lucrative business. IT experts even predict that the cyberattacks will cost the world $6 trillion by 2021. As a small business owner, you must not take cybersecurity for granted especially if a part of most of your business are done online.
Cybercrime Statistics In 2019
- Verizon reported that 43% of cyberattacks targeted small businesses.
- 52% of the data breaches were done through hacking, 33% through social attacks, 28% through malware, and 15% through misuse of authorized file.
- Jupiter research report showed that the cost of data breach in 2019 reached $2 trillion.
- Cyberattacks increased from 40% to 55% from 2018 to 2019.
- Symantec’s report found that 1 out of 323 mails is malicious.
- Cybersecurity Columbia SC ventures predicted that a ransomware attack would happen every 14 seconds.
Cyberthreats For Small Businesses
Ransomware
For the past few years, ransomware has evolved into a huge threat for small, medium, and large enterprises. It is a kind of malware that encrypts the victim’s personal or work computer or other electronic device. You won’t have any access to your files for as long as the hackers want unless you pay a ransom.
Signs of Ransomware Attacks:
- Malicious emails
- Encrypted files
- Locked web browser
- Locked computer
- Missing files from database
- Unable to open some of your files
Phishing
Phishing is another threat to small businesses. Every business nowadays depend on emails and hackers have found a way to use it against business owners and even regular individuals.
The primary goal of phishing is to obtain confidential information. It begins with an email that aims to make the recipient believe that it comes from a legitimate sender. Once you or one of your employees opens the email, and clicks on a link, the malware will then be automatically be installed in your system or network.
Symptoms of a Phishing Attack
- Email from an unknown individual asking for money
- Email from a popular news organization asking you to click on “Read More” to view the whole story
- Email from government agencies asking you to check your insurance coverage or bank deposit
- Email about a complaint you filed
Middle Man Attacks With MITM
An MITM or man-in-the-middle attack is a smooth and clean attack that happens when a hacker targets your network and communication servers. The usual targets are ecommerce sites, SaaS businesses, and financial enterprises.
Signs of MITM Attacks
- Popups on browser screen asking for your credentials
- Public or open wifi network with an unusual name
- Twin network that has a similar name with a known company’s wifi network
- Error messages
- Fake software updates
Drive-By Downloads Leads To Unstoppable Popups
Drive-by downloads are the main cause of unintentional downloads. This type of cyberattack happens when a malicious cod is downloaded into your mobile devices or computer system unintentionally. Your system may still be infected even if you didn’t click on any suspicious link or download now button. Hackers will always try to find a way to add a malicious code into one of the pages of a website to or directly into your HTTP.
Signs of Drive-By Downloads:
- API calls for a different plugin
- Your site will keep on redirecting to a different website
- Popups keep on coming up on your screen
SQL Injection
Hackers will try to innovate or reinvent new ways to get access to databases and one of those methods is SQL injection. Structured Query Language injection takes place when a cybercriminal inserts a malicious code into your server that utilizes SQL. The problem begins once an infected server keeps the information of clients. These information may include passwords, user id, credit card numbers, and other personal information.
Call SpartanTec, Inc. now and let our team of IT experts help lessen the risk of your business from being targeted by cybercriminals.
SpartanTec, Inc.
Columbia, SC 29201
(803) 408-7166
http://manageditservicescolumbia.com/
Serving: Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, Columbia, Wilmington, Fayetteville, Florence
No comments:
Post a Comment