Did you know that one-third of all homes in the United States are infected with some kind of malicious software?

Many business owners mistakenly think that they are not a target for hackers because their systems and information are not valuable to criminals.

The truth is that there are many cybersecurity threats that business owners need to be aware of.

We’ve written a guide that breaks down the most important cyber threats and what you need to do to protect yourself. Keep reading if you want to find out more.

1. Ransomware

This is a type of malware (malicious software) that is able to encrypt (scramble) your personal information. It then demands a ransom for the unlock code.

Most hackers who infect computers with ransomware demand that users pay them in a cryptocurrency such as Bitcoin.

You can get ransomware by opening email attachments, downloading infected software apps, and connecting infected external hard drives to your computer.

There are several simple steps you can take to protect yourself against ransomware.

For starters, make sure to inform your staff about the risks of opening email attachments from unknown senders. They should be particularly wary of emails that request a prompt response.

You can protect your organization by installing a dependable malware protection program on all of your computers and digital devices. And don’t forget to keep your applications up to date.

Schedule and perform data backups at least every couple of weeks. This will allow you to get quickly and easily get your data back if your systems get infected by ransomware. Make sure to test your systems on a regular basis.

2. Insider Threats

An insider threat happens when people within an organization gain access to its network without getting authorization. They then cause harm to the organization’s most important data and systems.

Your organization is at risk of insider threats if you have employees who don’t follow your company’s business rules.

For example, somebody might accidentally give away vital information about your business by filling out a digital form that is made by hackers.

It is also common for contractors, business partners, and third-party vendors to be insider threats.

An insider might intentionally ignore cyber security protocols so that they can remove data to sell it and make a profit or cause harm to a business.

The best thing you can do to prevent insider threats is to not give employees access to vital company resources unless they need to use these materials to complete their jobs.

It is also a good idea to work with a managed security service provider such as Cybriant.

3. Viruses and Worms

Viruses and worms are several of the most well-known types of cyber threats. They are malicious software programs that can damage a company’s data and systems.

Computer viruses are strings of code that replicate themselves into programs or host files. You might not realize if your system is infected with a virus because viruses sometimes stay dormant for long periods of time.

If a person inadvertently activates it, it will infect the system that it’s been planted on.

Worms and viruses are both self-replicating programs, but they work differently. A computer worm doesn’t need to copy itself to a host program to infect a system or network.

Make sure that you install antimalware and antivirus software to all of your organization’s computers. It is also a good idea to hire an IT company to help your organization detect threats.

4. Botnets

Botnet malware scours the internet in search of vulnerable devices. If it infects a system, it will use this system to infect as many other devices as it can.

It will use the computer processing power and systems of the devices it infects to complete automated tasks.

The hackers who create and operate these botnets will use them to send out spam and orchestrate click fraud campaigns for the purpose of generating malicious traffic.

Botnets are capable of infecting digital devices such as PCs, tablets, smartphones, and servers.

You can protect your organization from botnets by using anti-botnet tools. You should also make sure that your firewall and antivirus software are able to detect and remove botnets.

5. Phishing

Phishers use social engineering to trick people into breaking regular security protocols and offering up private data, including login details, names, and locations.

Phishing attacks often steal peoples’ Social Security numbers, credit card details, and account passwords.

Most phishers send out fake emails that claim to be coming from legitimate sources. You might receive phishing emails that look as if they were sent from companies such as Amazon, PayPal, and eBay.

Hackers want people to open the emails they send and to take a suggested action such as downloading an email file attachment. Those who open these attachments often inadvertently install malware on their digital devices.

Once this malware is installed on your computer, it will send out emails to your family, business partners, and friends. It will also steal your personal information.

The best thing you can do to prevent phishing attacks is to train your employees not to download files that are attached to emails from suspicious senders.

It is also a good idea to investigate your options for outsourced security.

Prevent Cyber Threats Today

There are many cyber threats that you need to know how to protect your organization from. Make sure to keep your malware and antivirus software up to date. It is also a good idea to hire a cyber security company to help you out.

If you want to find out more about cybersecurity, don’t forget to check out the Technology section of our website.