Cybersecurity

Cyberattacks: develop the right reflexes

April 4, 2024

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Did you know that SMEs are more frequently targeted by cyberattacks than larger corporations? It’s not just about identity theft and fraud anymore. Nowadays, criminals are breaching your access, infiltrating your systems, stealing intellectual property, and exposing user data. We’ve moved far beyond the era of emails from mysterious princes offering to share their riches. It’s much more advanced than that.

Common techniques

Here are some specific examples of cyberattacks that SMEs often face:

Phishing attacks: Attempts to deceive individuals by email to obtain information. For example, an employee receives an email supposedly sent by the company’s IT department asking to confirm login information. Without verifying the email’s authenticity, the employee responds, allowing cybercriminals access to the company’s data.
Ransomware: This type of malware holds user data hostage and demands a ransom for its release. For example, an employee downloads an email attachment which contains ransomware that locks the data on their computer and demands a ransom to unlock it, potentially causing a significant interruption to your operations.
DDoS Attacks: Attempts to overwhelm an online service, making it inaccessible. For instance, cybercriminals launch a DDoS attack against your website, flooding your server with massive traffic from multiple sources. Your site becomes unavailable to customers, resulting in revenue loss and damage to your company’s reputation.
Malware Attacks: Programs designed to damage or illegally access computer systems. For example, an employee downloads free software from an unsecured site. The software contains malware that installs itself on your system, compromising the confidentiality of your data.

Is your data at risk?

It’s crucial to know if your data is in danger or if your network is secure. Early warning signs, like an increase in spam or security alerts from your internet provider or antivirus software, should not be ignored. Monitoring suspicious activities on your networks, like unauthorized login attempts, is also important.

To ensure your network’s security, use a firewall and antivirus software, such as Cogeco Security+, regularly update your operating systems and software, and enforce a strict password security policy. Additionally, employee awareness and training are very important.

What to do if in doubt?

You must act quickly if you suspect a cyberattack. Isolate the affected systems and/or servers to limit potential damage. Contact your IT team or Internet provider. If it’s indeed a cyberattack, notify the authorities to report the incident. Inform your employees about the situation and communicate the necessary steps to take. Review the security breaches that allowed this violation and strengthen them to prevent future attacks. And when in doubt, it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Stay vigilant. Cybersecurity is essential for SMEs. Protecting your data and network means protecting your business. Talk to your Internet provider to learn about the protections included in your package and to establish a concrete plan in case of an attack.

Common techniques

Is your data at risk?

What to do if in doubt?

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