As file-based attacks increase significantly, it becomes the job of every individual to equip themselves with the most appropriate tools and apply useful techniques to protect their and their company’s data. Below are best tactics SMBs can use to migitate these risks:
Small and medium-sized business networks are subjected to cybersecurity risks every day. Any worker can access files from an insecure location. An employee can mistakenly click on a fake email that seems natural from an unknown source to spread malware. An outdated software application can present a vulnerability that allows unauthorized access. Therefore, protecting your business is extremely important and requires a responsive strategy.
Falling victim to file-based attacks can result in significant problems for SMBs. Luckily, new and improved solutions focusing on file-based attack protection are emerging. In this guide, we’ve compiled ways SMBs can reduce the risks of these attacks. Let’s discuss them one by one.
Ways to reduce the risk of cyber crimes
You all understand the threats and risks imposed by file-based attacks. Moving forward, we must work together to develop solutions to tackle this growing issue.
Here are some ways or, let’s say, security practices based on research that help reduce and prevent such attacks.
1. Use of email and strong spam filters
In 2022, 333 billion business and customer emails were received on average daily. The number is predicted to increase to 392.5 billion by 2026. This spam has become an increasingly effective method of cyber-attacks. It was found that 14.2% of people used one of these spam emails in 2018.
Work emails are vulnerable and can exploit you. Without taking this matter seriously, employees click on spam email links, download, and run dangerous attachments. Most small businesses also rely on the free email accounts that come with their website hosting packages. However, they aren’t aware that such accounts are not properly secured and don’t have the necessary filtering and security features to scan malicious emails.
Companies must integrate strict spam filters to mitigate risks that can protect those who hit the companies’ inboxes by blocking spam emails. Another flexible measure is to adopt a solution such as encrypted email solutions. Such email services act as proxy mail for a company’s mail server, seizing any incoming mail with potentially damaging attachments.
2. Carefully detect phishing attacks and train employees
Preventing file-based attacks requires users to change their conventional behavior and mindset. This most notably includes ensuring they successfully detect social engineering attacks such as phishing attacks.
Phishing is a name given to the fake practice of sending deceiving emails to get a hold of financial and personal information from an unknown source. The extensive email communication has made it one of the most common cyber-attacks.
Such emails are usually sent to replicate accurate correspondence from reliable, trustworthy sources like financial institutions, HR, or government offices. SMBs must train their employees to spot any suspicious emails and links. Staff should be taught to cross-check the downloaded file for legitimacy and safety.
3. Improve access control
Most SMBs use servers or cloud storage to keep and share files with clients and employees from any device. These can be cost-effective solutions that also prevent sensitive data loss. However, without proper security measures, such online components might be exposed to attacks.
This is because users often use weak passwords, which hackers quickly break down. These malicious actors steal valuable data and insert malware in the stored documents to spread the malware further.
To ensure the safety of all accounts, organizations should start using identity and access management platforms. This service can authenticate the working staff and give them access to various applications or files in the cloud. It also characterizes multi-factor authentication to provide some additional layer of security to secure them from unauthorized access.
4. Focus on security
Cybercriminals like to target SMB companies because of their mindset. SMBs think that cybercriminals will only attack big, giant organizations. However, in this era, there is no such thing as small for hackers.
According to the stats, 43% of cyberattacks were on SMBs. With this ratio, organizations must focus on and take security seriously. Organizations are now looking for security tools and practices that can benefit them.
Businesses should integrate themselves with the necessary tools and educate their employees regarding protecting themselves from cybersecurity threats: SMBs secure their business and their clients and staff from the clutches of hackers.
5. Use antivirus and antimalware tools
These tools are famous for providing a high level of endpoint security, which protects organizations against signature-based attacks and scans files for malicious threats by checking against threat intelligence databases. Remember, anti-virus solutions provide limited protection against new and more advanced cyber threats. Therefore, another security option that provides an extra layer of security should be considered as a VPN.
6. Conduct vulnerability assessment regularly
The fundamental changes to the organization’s IT environment involving big data, cloud computing, and IoT make the threat-hunting process significantly tricky. This is because security teams are chasing an ever-increasing list of technologies, software, and sensitive data from many customers and staff.
The lack of resources and manpower to conduct regular assessments and scans is alarming. Consider hiring a threat expert and vulnerability management service provider.
7. Cybersecurity monitoring
It is an essential element of cyber risk management that allows you to recognize attacks early. Moreover, it also accelerates threats for remediation before they can cause much damage to your business.
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About the Author
Rebecca James is an IT consultant with forward thinking approach toward developing IT infrastructures of SMEs. She writes to engage with individuals and raise awareness of digital security, privacy, and better IT infrastructure.
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