Think cyber attacks only target large corporations? Unfortunately, that is not true.

Recent statistics revealed that almost two thirds of small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) experienced at least one attack within the last year - an alarming statistic which should serve as a wakeup call to companies everywhere.

Worse still, almost all businesses report at least two successful cyber attacks each year; on average, businesses typically experience approximately five cyber-incidents per year.

Terrifying. Washoe County residents face increasingly frightening attacks each day; but how can we stop these atrocities from taking place?

Malware and ransomware attacks are some of the most frequent cyber attacks that businesses encounter.

Malware, short for malicious computer software, is designed to cause you problems on your system by infiltrating it with harmful codes that cause harm and disruption.

Ransomware can be especially devastating, as it encrypts all your files and renders them unaccessible until a ransom payment is made. This can have serious repercussions for businesses of all kinds and result in significant losses and downtime.

What factors contribute to more successful attacks and what are their characteristics?

BYOD (Bring Your Own Devices) is one such risky practice. Employees use personal devices to gain access to company data.

The vast proliferation of productivity apps may present security risks if not properly protected.

Today's connected devices allow cyber criminals to more easily target us.

There are various security measures you can implement in your company to keep them safe. Here are five options.

Strong passwords are vitally important. They represent your first line of defense. Make sure to select only strong, unique passwords; using a password manager allows for the creation and storage of random ones.
Update your software regularly: Regular software updates often include security patches that should keep your operating system and all applications up-to-date. Running the most up-to-date versions is essential to staying protected against potential security risks.
Employee education on how to recognize phishing emails should be conducted regularly during security awareness sessions. You should also back up your data regularly so that it can be quickly restored in case of cyber-attack.
Use antivirus software to safeguard your system against malware and stay protected - being proactive is always preferable and acting now will keep your PC secure!

We can assist if this task seems overwhelming - get in touch with us now for assistance.