Small Business Owners’ Reckless Online Behavior Increases Risk of Cybercrime

Small Business Owners’ Reckless Online Behavior Increases Risk of Cybercrime

Small business owners are at an increased risk of cybercrime due to their own reckless online behavior, according to recent findings. While many business owners have recognized the threat of cybercrime and increased their spending on cybersecurity, their personal online habits away from work continue to put their businesses in danger. Cybercriminals often target the weak points where company systems intersect with less secure entities and individuals, and the personal online behavior of business owners is a prime example.

One of the most common reckless behaviors is the use of the same or similar passwords for multiple online accounts. This practice leaves owners vulnerable to data breaches, as one compromised account can provide hackers access to numerous other accounts, including work-related ones. Furthermore, many owners neglect to properly secure their personal devices and accounts, ignore security settings, and fail to protect their privacy online. This unwittingly allows cybercriminals to identify and target not only the owners themselves but also their families.

Cybercriminals take advantage of these reckless behaviors to breach owners and their businesses, particularly when they are away from work. For instance, devices and web browsers without engaged security settings automatically record passwords for every online account, leaving them vulnerable to compromise. Even if a password manager is used, a compromised device can lead to the exposure of all passwords, including work-related accounts. Additionally, phishing and smishing attempts are rampant, and unwittingly opening such emails or texts can result in malware infections and the subsequent exposure of recorded passwords. If the compromised device is connected to the company network, every attached device becomes susceptible to infection.

Cybercriminals also target owners’ personal lives, often breaching their devices while they are at home. Homes with smart technology are particularly enticing targets, as these devices are relatively easy to hack. Once cybercriminals gain access to one device, they can exploit it to watch and copy passwords, infect every attached device with malware, and compromise the company’s systems.

Furthermore, cybercriminals leverage owners’ personal email accounts to breach company cyber defenses. If inadequately protected, these accounts are easy to hack and can be used to send malware-infected emails to employees. Since the emails come from the owner’s account, they are more likely to be opened and the attachments clicked on, thereby compromising the company’s systems.

Reckless online behavior by business owners poses threats to businesses beyond breaching cyber defenses. Over-the-shoulder attacks have become increasingly common, with cybercriminals memorizing device passcodes and later stealing the devices to loot company bank accounts. Moreover, if the credentials for a company’s social media sites are stolen, the business may be forced to pay a ransom or rebuild its online marketing presence from scratch.

Owners’ failure to protect their personal cyberprivacy can also impact businesses’ ability to borrow money. Identity theft is a lucrative business, and cybercriminals can easily misuse stolen identities obtained through unprotected online accounts, devices, and apps. This, in turn, can have a detrimental effect on the company’s credit, especially when personal guarantees are involved. Unwinding fraudulent transactions can be a lengthy and arduous process, leaving the business without access to credit for an extended period.

To mitigate the risks, business owners need to prioritize their own cybersecurity practices away from work. While it is impossible to eliminate all risk, taking simple and commonsense steps can significantly reduce the frequency and impact of cybercrime. A step-by-step guide for business owners to enhance their cybersecurity is available for free download from the website www.dpripro.com/owners.

Ultimately, the cybersecurity of a company is only as robust as that of its owner. Irresponsible online behavior can strip away essential layers of protection, making businesses attractive targets for cybercriminals. By being more vigilant and adopting readily available, low-cost technologies, business owners can better safeguard their companies and minimize the risk of cybercrime.