Your Startup Is A Prime Target For Hackers. Be On The Safe Side!

Updated on

It might seem counter-intuitive, but hackers love going after a small startup. Why? Because small businesses have far fewer defenses against the tricks the hackers use. They don’t have to do a lot of work, and the data they snatch up is worth it. After a hack, hackers spend entire days selling off the identity of your customers including credit card numbers, addresses and even bank accounts. That’s why you need to keep a close eye on the security measures you have, even if you’re a small startup.

Security for small startup – how to predict against hackers

Like mentioned above, even your small business has data and resources cybercriminals can make money off. Think about it this way. Before a pack of wolves gets its next big kill, there are a number of smaller animals that kept the pack fed. A hacker targets small businesses and uses them as a testing ground for his nefarious skills. Once he’s had enough practice runs, he can chase down larger targets.

Take an example of a hacker who just hacked his way into Acme Roofing Company. We know there is no merchandise for the hacker to steal, but there’s a treasure trove of information Acme Roofing Company keeps on its servers. For example, Acme just landed a lucrative deal with an up-market client. The client’s credit card number and address are stored in Acme’s web server. With the information, the hacker can buy things using the customer’s credit card without anyone being the wiser. That’s just one of the many likely scenarios.

What Does Your Startup Have that a Hacker Wants?

A lot of the sensitive information you store on your network can be exploited one way or the other. Credit card information is sold on the internet every day and so does personal identification information.

A hacker can easily parlay a stolen identity into a driver’s license, credit card, and even bank account. The options are only limited to the hacker’s imagination. Take the following example. The hacker, after hacking Acme Roofing Company has a list of email addresses. These addresses include private client addresses, employee addresses, and investor email addresses.

With the information, the hacker can spoof an email to let’s say a client and ask them to pay an invoice to a bank account under the control of the hacker. The hacker can even email one of the investors and ask for more funds to be deposited to the hacker’s bank account. That’s one of the dangers that comes with a network security breach. There is a lot more a hacker can do after gaining access to your private business files.

How Can I Afford I.T Security?

Even if you have a single computer in your business, you need an I.T guy in your corner. Think of it this way: If your business relies on electric power to serve clients, you’ll need a guy specializing in electronics more than you need a financial planner. I.T support works the same way. The more computers you have in your business, the more I.T consultants you need to hire.

Author Bio

Isabella Rossellini is an independent network security consultant. She works mainly with small businesses, helping them set up core security features on their network. To learn more about how you can better protect your business finances, head over to https://www.libertylending.com/

Leave a Comment