The Most Common Ways Hackers Steal Your Business Information
Cybersecurity hacks have become a common occurrence in the business world, and they often increase during the holidays. Unfortunately, they can cost businesses downtime, money and consumer trust. If you want to prevent hackers from accessing sensitive information, learn about these six hacking routes so you can implement the necessary tools to stop these attacks swiftly.
Stolen Credentials
Google’s August 2023 Threat Horizons report indicates that credential issues account for over 60% of compromise factors in data hacks. This means that hackers are taking advantage of mistakes like weak passwords, leaked API keys and third-party breaches to gain access to networks.
Organizations often need to implement tools like multi-factor authentication and identity and access management strategies to prevent and mitigate these issues.
Phishing
Phishing happens when a hacker sends an email that mimics a legitimate company to get employees to reveal sensitive information. The hacker then sells that information or uses it to gain access to real accounts.
It’s important to train employees to recognize and avoid these emails, but you should also use tools like spam filters and secure web gateways to block them.
Cloud Misconfiguration
Misconfiguring your managed cloud solutions can lead to data breaches in many ways. For example, you can accidentally set your cloud storage to public or expose access keys, allowing unauthorized users to access sensitive information. It’s crucial that your cloud provider and security management tools alert you about misconfigurations so you can know what’s wrong and how to fix it.
Unknown Vulnerabilities
Hackers often exploit the fact that many organizations simply don’t know they are operating with network vulnerabilities, such as outdated software and poorly written source code. Having a managed IT service provider (MSP) run a vulnerability scan and patch those holes is essential for preventing data breaches in your business.
Business Email Compromise
Business email compromise happens when a hacker poses as an important employee or vendor and tricks someone into giving up sensitive data or sending money to pay an invoice. Sometimes, the hacker can gain access to the high-ranking employee’s email to send messages directly from their account. This tactic makes the scam seem even more legitimate.
New .zip and .mov domains released by Google also make it easier for hackers to send links that seem like they go to files, but actually lead to malicious software.
To mitigate these issues, businesses must train employees on the latest risks, use secure email apps and tighten security requirements.
Malicious Insiders
Sometimes, hackers inside the organization use their access and credentials to steal information or harm the network. They may be motivated by financial gain or the need for revenge. Organizations often need special tools to handle these threats and prevent data leaks, such as software that scans internal emails for suspicious content or attachments.
Stop Hackers at the Source
Hacker activity often gets worse during the holidays, when IT support teams are taking time off, shoppers are buying more items online, and employees are distracted with end-of-the-year to-do lists. The best way to combat this is to stop hackers at the source.
A knowledgeable IT consulting expert can help you identify vulnerabilities in your business and gain the tools you need to patch them before they can be exploited. With the right tech support, you’ll be able to keep your business safe during the holidays and beyond.