If you’re a small to medium-sized business (SMB), you’ve heard us preach for years that a data breach isn’t a matter of if, but when. That’s why we highly recommend that businesses and private citizens alike do all they can to plan ahead and prepare accordingly.

Think that you’re not a target for a cybercriminal? Think again.

Recent surveys found about “57% of SMBs believe they won’t be targeted by online criminals” but that SMBs are “three times more likely to be targeted by cybercriminals than larger companies.”

Why is that? Many SMBs think they are too small to be important to criminals.

The pandemic has changed how everyone does business. Especially for SMBs, the shift to work from home blurs the line for cybersecurity. But cybercriminals know that shift has occurred, and they’ve planned alternatives to their typical methods of mayhem.

Top 4 ways to stay cybersafe at home and at work

It’s not enough to know that criminals have shifted their online tactics. Here are 4 ways you can be prepared and avoid becoming a victim.

Identify scams

Whether it’s through email, text, phone calls or direct messages, scams seem to be everywhere on the internet. Some of the signs you should look for include:

• Misspelled company names or links
• Pixelated logos
• The wrong domain for an email
• Unidentified links when you hover on them

If you don’t remember ordering something from a delivery company, don’t click the link.

A friend or family member isn’t going to contact you from overseas asking for money and your financial institutions are never going to ask for you to confirm information over the phone. Take the time to educate yourself on common scams.

Protect against attacks

If you don’t know how to protect your home network or business from attackers, ask an expert for help.

• Third-party vendors can help you ensure your network is secure
• Check your settings to make sure they’re properly configured
• Use two-factor or multifactor authentication whenever possible
• Patch your systems regularly
• Don’t click on unfamiliar links or visit unfamiliar websites

CISA has a list of current vulnerabilities. Stay informed.

Detect if you’ve been hacked

There are a range of factors that can help you determine if you’ve been hacked.

• Is your network running slowly? (It could be an attack causing slowdowns)
• Have you seen an influx in suspicious email, links, texts, or calls?

One of the best detection methods is to use a network monitoring service — ask a local expert for customized help for your SMB. Train your employees and family members about suspicious signs to report quickly.

Respond and recover from a breach

A response to a breach is like any other emergency — you should have a response plan before an incident occurs, just like you’d have an emergency weather plan or medical response plan, for example.

• Plan and practice scenarios with your staff periodically
• The NCA recommends that you disconnect the affected computer(s) from the network
• Connect with IT leadership, law enforcement, and your legal representation
• Familiarize yourself with your state’s data breach notification law

We sincerely hope you never become a victim of a cybercrime. It’s disruptive and painful. Being a Champion with the NCA has steeled our resolve to help as many people as possible prepare themselves for the worst.

If you want to dig deeper, this recorded webinar from the NCA about ways to secure your business is very helpful. It’s worth the watch to gather further ideas for SMBs.

Are you looking for expert security insight for your home or business? Contact our team for an expert consultation and analysis — we’re happy to help!

Photo by Glenn Carstens-Peters on Unsplash