A new report reveals that small businesses are being targeted by hackers, often with devastating consequences. Three in four owners reported having been breached in the past year.
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CBS 2 reporter Joe Donlon spoke with a woman about the devastating impact an attack can have on small businesses.
Pearle Northrup is a talented artist whose work spans a wide range of genres, from fragile decorative objects to intricately designed plates and even a fascinating skull ornament.
“When I have a space and I start painting it, I don’t stop until I fill it completely,” she said. Northrup uses Facebook to promote her colorful creations, and one morning she received a notification about a problem with account .
According to her, the message said that if she did not provide her personal information immediately, her account would be terminated immediately. Northrup clicked on the link and entered her login information.
As it turned out, however, it was a scam and within minutes a hacker took control of both her personal and professional Facebook pages, causing charges to be made to her professional account.
Northrup isn't the only one to fall victim to a breach, however. A new report reveals that 73% of small businesses suffered a cybersecurity incident in the past year.
See also: How to keep your home safe from hackers
“The number of small businesses being attacked has skyrocketed over the past three years,” said James Lee, chief operating officer of the Identity Theft Resource Center.
Lee said criminals often target a company's network to obtain customer data and money. More than 40% of small businesses said they suffered financial damage from an attack.
“One of the main things any small business should do is make sure they have an outside consultant to help them with their cybersecurity. It’s too complex to do it on your own,” Lee said.
After a complicated process, Northrup finally regained control of her business account and Facebook blocked the charges the hacker had made. She now uses social media sparingly to promote her business and lives in fear that she could be hacked again.
Small businesses can educate their employees on cybersecurity best practices in a number of ways. One way is to provide training and refresher training on a regular basis. Employees need to be aware of the latest threats and techniques used by cyberattackers, as well as the steps they need to take to protect the business.
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Another practice is to organize internal seminars and training programs. Businesses can hire cybersecurity experts to provide training to their employees. This can include presentations, practical exercises, and scenarios that represent potential cyberattacks.
Additionally, businesses can promote awareness among their employees through internal newsletters and posters. These materials can include tips for safe browsing ,recognizing malicious emails, and reporting suspicious activity. Reiterating these topics can help employees develop better cyber safety habits.
Finally, businesses can encourage employees to report any suspicious activity immediately. Creating an open culture allows employees to feel comfortable reporting potential threats or security breaches. This can be done through anonymous reporting, dedicated security contacts, or even rewards for reporting suspicious activity.
Source: cbsnews
