Cyber Attack Archives

What Is Pen Testing (and Why SMBs Need It)?

What is Pen Testing (and Why SMBs Need It)? Pen testing isn’t about paranoia; it’s about preparation. By simulating an attack on your business today, you avoid a real one tomorrow. For SMBs, it’s one of the smartest moves you can make to stay secure, compliant, and competitive. What Is Pen Testing? Penetration testing, or “pen testing,” is a controlled way to find out how hackers could break into your business before they actually do. Think of it as a fire drill for your cybersecurity. Instead of waiting for a real attacker, ethical security experts simulate cyberattacks to uncover vulnerabilities. Once those weaknesses are found, you can fix them before criminals exploit them. How Pen Testing Works A penetration test usually follows a simple but powerful process: Reconnaissance – testers gather information about your business (just like hackers do). Exploitation Attempts – they try to break into systems, networks, or ...

Kristy Mossoian2025-08-28T18:45:12+00:00

The Cost of Doing Nothing in Cybersecurity for SMBs

The Cost of Doing Nothing in Cybersecurity for SMBs When it comes to cybersecurity, many small and midsize businesses (SMBs) tell themselves: “We’re too small to be a target.” Unfortunately, attackers think differently. Hackers now view SMBs as prime opportunities, easy to breach, slow to detect, and expensive to recover. And while investing in security might feel like a cost, the real expense comes from doing nothing. The Real Cost of Ransomware Cyberattacks don’t just cost the ransom. They drain resources in recovery, downtime, lost clients, and reputation damage. What “Doing Nothing” Really Costs Let’s break down the real numbers: Downtime Costs Thousands Per Hour: A single ransomware incident can shut down operations for days. Industry research shows SMBs lose an average of $8,000 per hour of downtime in lost sales, stalled projects, and frustrated clients. Recovery Expenses Stack Up: Beyond downtime, recovery costs include ransom payments, IT remediation, legal ...

Kristy Mossoian2025-08-28T18:06:52+00:00

15 ways to protect your company from Ransomware attacks

Recent ransomware attacks and security breaches are detrimental to an organization's business data, and reputation. Ransomware attacks are not new, but the rate at which they are occurring in the United States is radically increasing. Ransomware attacks are up 365% according to TechRepublic. What are ransomware attacks? Ransomware is a type of cyberattack wherein an organization or individual is threatened for money. The attacker threatens to publish the victim's personal or corporate data or permanently block access to it until a ransom is paid—usually via a cryptocurrency like Bitcoin. Other recent variants include cutting off access to utilities, internet access, oil pipelines, and corporate intranets. Can you refuse to pay ransomware? The US government prefers you to refuse to pay cybercriminals. The more we see companies pay these criminals, the more they are encouraged to continue. Ransomware isn't just some guy calling you up and threatening you. The attack happens ...

Red Level2024-06-27T03:37:32+00:00