In the digital age in which we live, cyber threats are constantly evolving, threatening the security of organizations of all sizes. While corporate giants invest millions in cybersecurity, small and medium-sized businesses are becoming increasingly attractive targets for cybercriminals. And do you know why? Because they tend to have weaker defenses and equally valuable data.
Here’s a fact that will surely surprise you: according to recent studies, 43% of cyberattacks specifically target small businesses, but only 14% are really prepared to defend themselves. Knowing the most common threats is the first step to protect your business in this digital battlefield.
1. Phishing attacks: the digital hook
Phishing continues to be a favorite method for cybercriminals to break into corporate systems. They use social engineering techniques to trick us into revealing confidential information or installing malware without our knowledge.
Didn’t you know that 90% of security breaches start with a simple email? Attackers impersonate legitimate entities, creating increasingly sophisticated messages that, we assure you, are really hard to detect.
The most dangerous variants include spear phishing (personalized attacks) and whaling (targeting executives), where criminals thoroughly research their victims to create communications so believable that they greatly increase the likelihood that we will bite.
2. Ransomware: data hijacking
Ransomware has grown from an occasional threat to a full-fledged criminal enterprise. This malware encrypts your files and demands a ransom in exchange for the key to recover them. In Spain, cases have increased by 40% in the last year.
The consequences go far beyond paying the ransom. The time your company is down, the loss of data and the damage to your reputation can be devastating, with losses far exceeding the amount they were initially asked for.
3. Brute-force attacks: malicious persistence
Brute-force attacks are like trying to open a lock by trying all possible keys. Attackers use automated programs to try user and password combinations until they get the right ones.
Although it may seem like an old method, you’d be surprised how effective it still is due to bad practices such as using weak passwords or not having two-step authentication enabled. Most people still use predictable passwords or reuse them across multiple services.
Once they gain entry, the attackers can move around your network like a rogue, escalating privileges until they have full control over your company’s critical systems.
4. Malware and spyware: the invisible enemy
When we talk about malware we are referring to malicious programs designed to sneak into computer systems without permission. These threats can lie dormant for months, collecting sensitive information without arousing suspicion.
Spyware deserves special attention in the business environment. These programs monitor everything you do, capture what you type and can even activate cameras or microphones remotely. Stolen information can end up in the hands of competitors or be used to blackmail you.
Distribution methods are becoming more and more creative: from seemingly legitimate applications to infected pendrives that “casually” appear in your company’s parking lot.
5. Man-in-the-middle (MitM) attacks: the spy in the conversation
Brokering attacks occur when someone sneaks in between two people communicating, intercepting the information they exchange without either person knowing about it. It’s as if someone reads all your letters before they reach their destination.
These attacks are especially dangerous on public Wi-Fi networks, unencrypted communications or browsing without HTTPS. For your company, the consequences can be serious: from the theft of credentials to the leaking of confidential conversations.
6. Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks: system collapse.
Imagine that your physical store suddenly fills up with thousands of people who don’t buy anything, they just block the entrance. That is exactly the idea of DDoS attacks.
Through networks of infected devices, attackers flood your servers with so much traffic that they bring them down. And if your business depends on being online, every minute down is a direct loss to your wallet.
What worries us most is that setting up these attacks now costs four bucks. Today anyone can “rent” a botnet for less than 100 euros, putting it within reach of unscrupulous competitors.
7. Internal threats: the enemy at home
Not all threats come from outside. Insider threats – actions by employees or collaborators with legitimate access to your systems – represent one of the biggest security headaches.
They can come from disgruntled employees who deliberately leak information, but also, and this is more common, from staff who unintentionally make mistakes such as sharing passwords or bypassing security protocols for the sake of convenience.
The difficult part of detecting these threats is that they come from users with valid credentials and seemingly normal behavior within your network.
Comprehensive protection: beyond technical solutions
We recommend you approach enterprise cybersecurity as a complete ecosystem that combines up-to-date technology solutions, clear security policies, regular backups and, most importantly, ongoing training for all your employees.
Remember that your company’s security is only as strong as its weakest link. And in most cases, that link is not technological but human. Investing in awareness can be the difference between a scare and a catastrophe.
Is your company really ready? Cybersecurity is no longer a whim or something only for large corporations. In today’s digital world, it is a basic necessity for any business. Don’t put it off until tomorrow, because cybercriminals, we assure you, do not rest.