Small businesses, being more agile and less bureaucratic than larger corporations, are often faster to adopt new technologies to improve efficiency and productivity. Unfortunately, this also makes them a bigger target for hackers. They tend to have fewer resources to devote to cybersecurity and lack the technical expertise needed to defend themselves from online threats. This makes them particularly vulnerable to cyber-attacks. The result is those small businesses are twice as likely to get hacked as large enterprises. Potential hacks can put them out of business especially if it is on a large scale. Smaller businesses may not know what to look for in potential hacks as well as other malicious activities, this is where companies like https://castle.io/ can be of assistance to help with detection as well as protection to make sure that this is stamped out.
Cybersecurity is a problem that doesn’t get enough attention in the minds of small business owners. If they have a computer, they have a target on their back. This is because a computer is a gateway to a company’s operations and finances, and no one wants to see their information or money taken. The unfortunate reality is that most small businesses have not taken the necessary steps to protect themselves against the risks they face. As most businesses today make use of vast networks, computers, and of course, the Internet for smooth functioning, it is important that company data, the systems, and applications are strongly protected. Leveraging the services of it outsourcing companies could not only help with all the IT needs of the business, but also with putting the necessary security measures in place.
The dangers that small business owners face in the realm of cybersecurity are varied and plentiful. Even some of the most simple aspects of the online world, like emails, can be subjected to attacks. This may come as a surprise to a lot of people but it is true. Without looking at how companies like Abnormal Security (https://abnormalsecurity.com/product/email-protection/) work to help ensure that your emails have sufficient protection to withstand such attacks, you are leaving yourselves vulnerable. If this area, as well as other areas aren’t addressed, they can lead to some pretty intense consequences.
Social Engineering
Social engineering is the process by which an individual or group uses social influence to manipulate a person or persons into performing actions or divulging confidential information. A social engineer will almost always target an individual because one person can be easier to manipulate than a group of people. The social engineer can sometimes appear as a friend, an ally, or even an authority figure.
The definition above is a broad one that encompasses most aspects of social engineering; however, many are not interested in the definition of the act itself but more in how it can be used to gain access to secure information. For that reason, the definition will narrow and focus more on hacking.
Social engineering is a form of hacking that can be used to obtain confidential information
Cloud Computing
The cloud is a popular buzzword, and for a good reason: It’s the easiest way to make computers work together, and it allows users to access applications and data from anywhere with an Internet connection.
Cloud computing has changed the way people work, but it’s also changed the way people attack computers. Many security experts now say that the cloud isn’t as safe as it seems. As you can access cloud-enabled applications remotely, you may be inclined to do so anywhere, even while connected to public WiFi. This would be a mistake as connecting to public WiFi without proper protection can leave you vulnerable to attack from others on the same network. You can use something like atlas vpn to help avoid this happening to you and give you peace of mind while browsing the web or using cloud-enabled applications.
DDoS Attacks
A DDoS attack takes place when numerous compromised systems attacking specific targets, like an internet server. These systems are often infected with a Trojan, botnet, or virus. The compromised systems are called “zombies” because they are controlled without the owners’ knowledge.
If you’ve ever suffered from a website outage or slow page load times, you’ve been the victim of a DDoS or Distributed Denial of Service attack. Such attacks are a common form of cyber-attack, and they’re getting larger in scale every year, with some of the largest attacks peaking at 1.1 terabits per second.
Ransomware
Ransomware is a form of malware that restricts access to a computer system in some manner, then demands a ransom paid to the creator of the malware in order to remove the restriction. Ransomware can be used to deny access to any type of system or data, such as an operating system, a database, or a website. Ransomware can also be found inside of the software of some types of hardware, such as webcams and DVRs. Most modern ransomware is spread via spam email, exploit kits or drive-by downloads. The user can then be required to pay in order to regain access to their system, or the files will be deleted.
Using Third-Party Software
Using third-party software is a great way to extend the capabilities of your computer. But many times, a program downloaded from the Internet or a CD can be a source of a security threat. As a general rule, the more complex the software, the more likely it is to have security vulnerabilities. If you do download software from the Internet, it is important to be certain that you trust the source. When you download software from the Internet, you should also make sure you have updated your virus protection software to scan every file you download.
