Top 5 Security Cyber Security Threats to Your Small Business
I hate to say it, but the bad guys are getting really good at taking advantage of businesses, and they’re making a mind-boggling amount of money off it. So, it’s not going to slow down, it’s just going to escalate. I want to let you know what the biggest cyber threats are, according to Webroot’s 2018 Cyber Threat Report, so you can make sure you’re not one of their statistics.
1. Phishing – Employees are taking the bait!
Phishing scams used to be almost laughably obvious – a Nigerian prince wanted to send you money! But now these scams are so cleverly disguised, it takes an eagle eye to spot one. It’s very easy for your employees to innocently click on what appears to be a legitimate link and open your business to thieves. Today’s phishing scams are more likely to be via email from what appears to be a company you already do business with. Employees need to be trained to never provide info or click links unless they’re absolutely sure they’re from a legitimate source. Talk to us about our Security Awareness Training.
2. Static Malware is history. Polymorphism is the new threat.
Static lists were once the preferred method of keeping known malicious files from being downloaded onto machines. However, polymorphism’s popularity means static lists are useless in defending against malware. Tiny variations in malware binaries, ones that otherwise do not change their core functions, now prevent these lists from reliably filtering out threats. Of the hundreds of millions of executable files Webroot analyzes each year, 94% percent were polymorphic. We provide the latest in endpoint protection through our Enable program.
3. Cryptojacking uses your computers without your knowledge.
The best cons are the ones you never even know about. Cryptojacking involves hijacking the computing power of a machine and reassigning it to the task of cryptomining, the process of adding transactions to a blockchain leger in exchange for a small transaction fee. Over time, these efforts can lead to steady returns on little effort for cryptojacking operations. We have advanced security services that watch for unusual behavior on your systems.
4. Ransomware – Extremely quick and profitable!
This is one of the most frustrating and costly cybercrimes. Thieves take over your computer systems and hold your files ransom until you pay up. The worst part of it is, even if you go ahead and pay the ransom, there’s no guaranteed that you’ll actually get your files back, and if you do, they could be damaged or corrupted. Two major ransomware attacks in 2017 caused over $4 billion in losses in just 24 hours. Those grabbed headlines, but the truth is, ransomware happens on a smaller scale to small business every day. A layered security approach coupled with comprehensive backup systems is the best approach to thwarting Ransomware.
5. Malicious mobile apps
With nearly two billion smartphone users, and the enormous popularity of mobile apps, this is now a sweet spot for cyber criminals. Webroot found that one third of mobile apps are now built with malicious intent. In other words, they appear to be something fun or useful, but their actual purpose is to hack your phone.Be wary of applications you install on your phone and be sure to read what access they need to the data stored there.
What can you do about it?
The first line of defense is to make sure you train your employees and keep all systems updated. Those pesky reminders that you need to update your software should never be ignored. Updates are not just improvements in function or design, they also contain fixes of known vulnerabilities.
The next line of defense is to have a great IT partner who will focus on your security. We make it our priority to keep our clients’ networks secure against all known threats, and be informed of potential future threats. It costs so little to protect your business from cyber threats, especially when you consider how much even one small attack can cost in terms of lost revenue and reputation.
Give us a call and we can help you assess your vulnerability to cybercrime and show you how to avoid it.