Computer attacks, a great threat to SMEs in times of pandemic

In this post, we tell you how hacks affect small businesses and what they can do to avoid cyber attacks.

• A study reveals that every day there are 350,000 malware attacks in the world.
• Hackers have automated the attacks, so they can occur in multiple companies at once.

One of the fears of companies today, whether large or small, is computer attacks. While all types of businesses are at risk from cyber security threats, small businesses are hit the hardest . This is because SMEs are believed to be too small businesses to be targeted by hackers. An unfortunate vision, as can be verified with the data.

An IDC Research study of the cybersecurity market reveals that there are 350,000 malware attacks in the world every day . In this sense, the cybersecurity market is expected to grow in Spain by 8.1% and reach 1,324 million euros.

Automated computer attacks

One of the main problems for companies is that hackers have automated their attacks . This is an added problem, since thousands of companies can be attacked at the same time.

A neighborhood company usually has a less strict level of security than a multinational might have. Hackers know this and take advantage of it. SMEs become, as has happened during COVID-19, an easy target.

The pandemic accelerated certain digital processes. The lockdown has forced small businesses to go digital . Many have created web pages and have opened a communication channel with their clients through the Internet. However, the rise of online shopping and teleworking has led to an increase in the number of cyberattacks . Hackers exploit vulnerabilities as a result of remote connections, use of the cloud, or increased user exposure through phishing campaigns.

It could also be argued that small businesses have the most to lose by being affected by a harmful cyber attack. A recent report revealed that companies with fewer than 500 employees lose an average of $2.5 million per attack . Losing this amount of money in a cyber breach is devastating for small businesses, and that’s not to mention the reputational damage that comes from being hit by a cyber attack.

The most common computer attacks

1.Phishing

Phishing is the biggest, most damaging and widespread threat that small businesses have to deal with. It is estimated that this type of cyberattack accounts for 90% of all breaches organizations face. In the last year alone, phishing has grown by 65% ​​and already represents losses worth more than 12 billion dollars.

This is a phishing attack. To do this, the attacker pretends to be a trusted contact of the user. By doing so, it encourages you to click on a malicious link or provide personal data.

2. Malware attacks

Malware is the second biggest threat small businesses face. It includes a variety of cyber threats such as Trojans and viruses. Through a malware attack, hackers gain access to company networks . They use these accesses to steal data or destroy company information. Malware usually comes from downloads from malicious websites, spam emails, or by connecting to other infected devices.

3. Weak passwords

Part of the computer attacks that enter companies happen due to passwords. Setting weak or easy-to-guess passwords is one more threat to businesses. There are companies that use various cloud-based services, which require different accounts. These services can often contain sensitive data and financial information. Using easy-to-guess passwords or using the same passwords for multiple accounts can lead to this data being compromised.

How to protect your company from cyber attacks

Avoiding computer attacks is a priority in companies. Most cyber attacks can be resolved with training. Employee training is key , especially when teleworking has been adopted in most companies. Today, most employees access company information from home, and that comes with risk.

Among the most common recommendations is not to use the personal account for work . Also avoid using personal devices to access company documents. Do not forget to log out once the work is finished, as not doing so could compromise the company’s digital security.

At the enterprise level it is recommended to keep the software updated . Hackers are always looking for system vulnerabilities. That is the main reason why manufacturers constantly make updates. The latest versions usually include patches to resolve security issues.

Biometric technology is another solution to prevent hacking. This is a more efficient authentication solution. Thanks to this technology, companies can maintain stricter control over access to their systems.

Computer attacks can cost thousands of euros to SMEs. In addition, it can cause them to lose important data about customers or products. The pandemic has helped speed up digitization, but doing it safely is more than convenient for all types of businesses.