Why Hackers Target Small Businesses

Many small business owners think, “Why would hackers target me?” The truth is, cybercriminals love small businesses because they often lack the security of big corporations.

• 43% of cyberattacks target small businesses.
• 60% of small businesses that suffer a cyberattack close within six months.

Think of cybersecurity like locking your store at night—you wouldn’t leave the door wide open, right? The same goes for your business’s online security!

5 Most Common Cyber Attacks on Small Businesses

Phishing Attacks (Fake Emails & Messages)

What Happens:
Hackers send fake emails or messages pretending to be from a trusted company (like your bank or supplier). They trick you into clicking a bad link or giving away your passwords.

Example: A small retail shop in Manila received an email that looked like it was from their supplier, asking them to confirm their banking details. It was a scam, and the business lost ₱50,000.

How to Protect Yourself:
✔ Think before you click! If an email looks urgent or suspicious, double-check the sender.
✔ Call to verify. If you receive a request for sensitive information, call the person or company directly.
✔ Use email security tools to block phishing attempts.

Ransomware Attacks (Hackers Lock Your Files & Demand Money)

What Happens:
A hacker locks all your business files and demands money (ransom) to unlock them. Even if you pay, there’s no guarantee you’ll get your data back.

Example: A law firm in Cebu was locked out of all client records. They paid the ransom, but the hackers never unlocked their files.

How to Protect Yourself:
✔ Back up your data every day. Store copies in the cloud or on an external drive.
✔ Keep your software updated to fix security gaps.
✔ Use cybersecurity tools like CyberGuard to stop ransomware before it locks your data.

Data Breaches (Hackers Steal Customer or Business Info)

What Happens:
Cybercriminals break into your system and steal sensitive data like customer credit card details, personal info, or business records.

Example: A small online store in Davao used weak passwords, and hackers stole hundreds of customer credit card details. The business lost customers and faced legal trouble.

How to Protect Yourself:
✔ Use strong, unique passwords for every account. (Example: Instead of store123, use MyStore$ecure!2024.)
✔ Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA). This adds an extra security step, like a text message code, when logging in.
✔ Encrypt sensitive data to keep it unreadable to hackers.

Malware & Viruses (Dangerous Software That Destroys Your Business)

What Happens:
You or an employee accidentally download a harmful file that steals or damages your business data.

Example: A marketing agency downloaded a free software tool from an unknown website. It contained a virus that erased all client data.

How to Protect Yourself:
✔ Only download software from official sources (Google Play, Apple Store, Microsoft).
✔ Use managed antivirus software like CyberGuard.
✔ Scan your system weekly for hidden threats.

Weak Passwords & Credential Theft (Easy-to-Guess Logins)

What Happens:
If you use passwords like password123 or business2023, hackers can guess them in seconds. They can then log into your accounts, steal your money, or even lock you out.

Example: A local accounting firm used the same password for all accounts. Hackers stole client tax records and demanded money to return them.

How to Protect Yourself:
✔ Use a password manager to generate and store strong passwords.
✔ Never reuse passwords across multiple accounts.
✔ Enable MFA to add an extra layer of protection.

Protect Your Business with CyberGuard

• 24/7 Cybersecurity Monitoring – Stops attacks before they happen.
• Advanced Threat Protection – Blocks malware, ransomware, and phishing scams.
• Affordable & Hassle-Free – Enterprise-level security for less than ₱20/day.

Download Your Free Cyber Attack Prevention Guide!

Get easy-to-follow steps to secure your business today!

Stay Secure – Act Now!

Cyber threats can strike at any time. Protect your business today with CyberGuard.

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