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Top 4 Technology Security Risks For Small Businesses

2016-01-28by Anica Oaks

The goal of most cyber-criminals is to steal and exploit confidential data, such as banking or personal information for identity theft. Some cyber-criminals merely want to cause chaos or attack random organizations. Below introduces the top four security risks for small businesses where these criminals will try to extract critical information or damage computer systems.

Phishing

One of the most common types of cyber-theft are phishing scams that are designed to surreptitiously collecting confidential information such as bank PINs, login credentials and credit card information. Phishing usually appears in the form of a legitimate-appearing, but fraudulent email or website. Some phishing scams are mass emailed to unsuspecting individuals, but others are individually crafted for certain recipients. However, as people become more aware of phishing scams, cyber-criminals are using more sophisticated techniques.

Malware

This general term applies to a variety of malicious software that cause damage or allow unauthorized access to the victim’s computer. There are actually many different types of malware, such as viruses, worms, spyware, key loggers, ransom-ware and Trojan horses. The best defense against malware is through using industry-standard security programs. The next best defense is to consult with an IT professional to benchmark and test the small business’ network security. Some small businesses find it beneficial to outsource all IT needs to a third-party company that provides IT services in Ottawa or their specific locale.

Password Attacks

Cyber-criminals want to crack passwords so they can access their victim’s accounts and databases. There are different types of password attack, such as a brute force attack that uses aggressive software programs to methodically guess passwords, and key loggers, which track all of a user's keystrokes. Therefore, small businesses should properly protect any online systems that allow employees or customers to log-in through the Internet. Physical security is also important, so laptops and other computer equipment should be properly locked up.

Advanced Attacks

There are also advanced attacks that cyber-criminals use to harm businesses. For example, a distributed denial of service (DDoS) attack occurs when a server is deliberately overloaded with requests. The goal is to shut down the victim’s website or network system. As a result, users will be unable to access the site or network, which may result in financial losses or even a complete shutdown of business operations. There are also advanced persistent threats (APTs), which are long-term cyber-attacks that attempt to breach a network in multiple phases and places to avoid detection. These complex attacks research their targets, delivering customized malware and slowly extract captured data.

 

As a final note, small businesses should continually re-train employees on current and emerging technology security risks.

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Author

Anica Oaks

Anica Oaks

Freelancer

A recent college graduate from University of San Francisco, Anica loves dogs, the ocean, and anything outdoor-related. She was raised in a big family, so she's used to putting things to a vote. Also, cartwheels are her specialty. You can connect with Anica here.

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