{"id":5092,"date":"2016-04-04T11:47:54","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T16:47:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/smallbusiness\/liability-and-insurance\/cyber-attacks-small-business-guide.html"},"modified":"2024-05-23T03:18:21","modified_gmt":"2024-05-23T08:18:21","slug":"cyber-attacks-small-business-guide","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/smallbusiness\/liability-and-insurance\/cyber-attacks-small-business-guide.html","title":{"rendered":"Cyber Attacks: Small Business Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Cyber Attacks: Small Business Guide<\/h1>\n
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\n By Susan Buckner, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Aviana Cooper, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

In June 2023, the most devastating cyberattack to date hit the file transfer<\/a>. Using a type of hack called SQL injection, a cybercriminal gang began intercepting personal data from data transfers. MOVEit<\/a> continues working with cybersecurity agencies in the U.S. and overseas. But as of October 2023, the breach affected as many as 2000 organizations and 60 million individuals.<\/p>\r\n

Cyberattacks are not only on large corporations. Small businesses have the same vulnerabilities as big ones. Hackers look for weaknesses in computer systems to steal data and money and open access to other systems. Cybercriminals can use your system as a backdoor to inject viruses into other computers. Cybersecurity for small businesses is essential for everyone’s protection.<\/p>\r\n

Small business owners should remember that "small" is a comparative term. A small business may have up to 500 employees and many locations. Your small business is as vulnerable to cybercrime as to more traditional crime. Owners are liable<\/a> for protecting customers, employees, and assets from both types of criminals. Business owners should have strategies to identify threats and respond to attacks, no matter what size they are.<\/p>\r\n

Types of Cybersecurity Threats<\/h2>\r\n

Cyberattacks have changed since the early days of the internet. Today’s attacks use a combination of sophisticated software assaults and clever social engineering that preys on human psychology. The focus is not always data or money. Hackers can use sensitive information like passwords, birth dates, and other personally identifiable information (PII) to access other secure areas.<\/p>\r\n

Below are some of the most common threats facing businesses today:<\/p>\r\n

Malware<\/h3>\r\n

Malicious software, or malware, is any type of software introduced into a target system. The malware may damage the target software or set up the system for use in other types of attacks.<\/p>\r\n