With cyber crime on the rise, business owners must take a more a proactive approach towards defending against and mitigating the damage of cyber attacks. From ransomware and trojans to phishing scams and DDoS attacks, businesses are vulnerable to a variety of cyber attacks. Unfortunately, some business owners believe one or more of the following cybersecurity myths, leading them down the wrong path. Below are five of the most common cybersecurity myths you shouldn’t believe.
Myth #1) Only Large Companies Are Vulnerable
While many large companies experience cyber attacks on a regular basis, small businesses are affected by them as well. Statistics even show that almost half of all cyber attacks involve small businesses. Hackers often target small businesses rather than large companies because they are essentially low-hanging fruit. Small businesses typically don’t have the same iron-clad cybersecurity measures as their larger counterparts, making them easier for hackers to target.
Myth #2) A Strong Password Is Sufficient
A strong password can certainly reduce the risk of a cyber attack, but it’s no longer sufficient for a complete cybersecurity strategy. A persistent hacker can crack even the toughest passwords using a brute-force attack. Brute-force attacks involve trial-and-error by spamming different password entries until it finds the right one. You should still create strong passwords, but don’t assume this alone will protect your business from cyber attacks.
Myth #3) Cloud Services Aren’t Secure
Some business owners store all their data locally, believing cloud services aren’t secure and, thus, should be avoided. The good news is that most reputable cloud services are highly secure. You can enable two-factor authentication, for example, to prevent hackers from accessing your account by cracking your password. Additionally, you can choose a cloud service that encrypts its users’ data.
Myth #4) Cyber Attacks Are Easy to Spot
Some cyber attacks are obvious, but others are more discreet. As a result, you won’t always know if and when you are being attacked. Trojans, for example, are specifically engineered to look like real, legitimate software, whereas other forms of malware are designed to lurk in the background of your device or network.
Myth #5) Cybersecurity Only Consists of Digital Protection Measures
Cybersecurity involves more than just digital protection measures like the use of a firewall and antivirus software. It also involves physical protection measures. If you leave devices out in the open, a nefarious individual may steal them, at which point the data stored on those devices will become compromised.