In a world increasingly becoming digital, cybersecurity dangers are an unwanted reality. As a result, small businesses need to be extra vigilant in keeping their businesses and their websites protected and secured. 

A couple of months ago, my family experienced something like this firsthand. My father, a senior citizen who works part-time for a small business he used to own, clicked on an innocent-looking email attachment that a scammer had sent him. The scammer was able to lock up his computer and put software on it so he could find out my Dad’s essential passwords. After hijacking my Dad’s business email account, the scammers tried to get a client to deposit $26,000 into their newly created US Bank checking account. Luckily, a coworker spotted the scam right away. After figuring out what was happening, we needed to change my father’s business email address, cell phone number, some of his business banking account numbers, and many passwords. It took hours and hours of my time and an Information Technology (IT) professional’s time to erase his hard drive and reinstall all his programs and accounts. It was both frustrating and scary for everyone involved. 

Since this was such a terrible experience, I wanted to pass some information on to you so you can protect yourself and your small business. In this article, learn about cybersecurity, including why it matters for small business websites, the top four dangers, and actionable resources for protecting your small business website.

What Cybersecurity is and Why it Matters

Cybersecurity protects internet-connected critical devices and services from cyberattacks, including ransomware, phishing schemes, data breaches, identity theft, and financial losses.

Cyberattacks put your entire small business at risk. If a hacker gains entry to your digital network (i.e., your business website), they can cause significant damage to what they find, including:

• Customer credit card information
• Your company’s banking details
• Assessing customer lists
• Your pricing structure
• Manufacturing processes
• Business growth plans
• Product designs
• Additional intellectual property

And unfortunately, cyberattacks aren’t limited to just your small business’ digital network. Hackers could use their access to your website to access the networks of partners and vendors you work alongside. 

The Cost of Cyberattacks

According to one survey, nearly half of all small businesses use cloud infrastructure or hosting services. Therefore, adding cybersecurity measures is imperative as more small businesses build their trade using cloud-based tools.

For small businesses, the cost of cyberattacks could be considerable:

• Financial loss from disruption in business
• Reputation damage after informing customers that their information was compromised
• High costs to clear your network of threats
• Financial losses from banking information

Every small business should consider creating and implementing a cybersecurity strategy to protect its customers and data from cybersecurity threats. Having one will help define a security posture for assessing vulnerabilities that could make them a cybercriminals target.

Top 4 Cybersecurity Dangers

Phishing

Phishing is a cyberattack where the hacker poses as a trusted individual or organization to trick the potential victim into sharing sensitive information. Carefully crafted phishing login pages convince unsuspecting users that they are logging into a valid service. When users don’t realize the login page is fake, they enter their credentials, and the attackers receive login details, credit card information, and other pieces of sensitive information. See an example of a phishing login page in this GoDaddy article. Phishing is such a persistent cyberattack that it can be found on 10 percent of infected websites.

How to add cybersecurity measures for preventing phishing: Use anti-phishing protection to protect yourself. On Google Chrome, Enhanced Safe Browsing has cybersecurity measures, including real-time checks against known phishing and malware sites, the option to request Google to perform deeper scans for suspicious files, and more.

SEO Spam

SEO spam is the third most common infection, according to Sucuri. It’s an automated cyberattack affecting an entire small business website. And it’s so common that half of all infected websites contain SEO spam. Hackers can use black hat SEO techniques to fill your site with odd content, malicious links, and even spam malware.

How to add cybersecurity measures for preventing SEO spam: Securing your website is the best way to prevent SEO spam. Sucuri has a fantastic informational blog on 12 ways to secure your website. Make sure to check the pros and cons for each before determining which is the best fit for your small business website. 

Backdoors

A backdoor is a way to bypass a small business website’s authentication process to access the network. Hackers use backdoor attacks to issue system commands and update malware remotely. And they’re so common that two-thirds of infected websites include them.

How to add cybersecurity measures for preventing backdoors: You’ll first want to look at your website administrators. By continuing to have outdated administration on your list, you’re opening yourself up to potential backdoors for SEO spam, phishing, and more through a backdoor that’s incredibly easy for hackers to penetrate. Additionally, you’ll want to ensure you’re using trusted anti-virus software, only downloading legitimate plugins and other software components, and using a firewall.

Credit Card Skimmers

Credit card skimming is a cyberattack where a hacker gains access to critical payment information by running malicious software on an eCommerce website. They’re frequently injected into plugin/core files or installed as malicious plugins. As a result, hackers can steal susceptible information that customers insert as they push through their payment by injecting card skimmers on the checkout page (often with eCommerce and Magento sites). In return, the hacker uses their card information to purchase high-ticket auction goods, Craigslist items, or other ways to convert goods into cash.

How to add cybersecurity measures for preventing credit card skimmers: The number one way credit card skimmers end up on eCommerce websites is through unauthorized access. Because of this, you’ll want to ensure that your website administrator list is up-to-date. Additionally, you’ll want to ensure you’re performing the latest security updates and using malware protection on your eCommerce website.

Protect Your Small Business Website from Cyberattacks

Building a cybersecurity strategy begins with your small business website. Gain instant credibility, attract new customers, and save time with a custom-made secure website for your small business. I create unique websites that help your company grow and keep security at the forefront.

Websites Built With Cybersecurity in Mind

Daily Backups

Making data backups is a cornerstone habit of cybersecurity strategizing. Backups protect against human error, virus attacks, hardware failure, power failure, and natural disasters. Additionally, they save time and resources if failures occur. That’s why I ensure daily backups for all my small business websites. By backing up daily, I help clients pinpoint when errors occur for quick course correction.

SSL Certificate

Have you ever noticed in the URL address that some websites begin with “HTTP” while others start with “HTTPS”? The “S” stands for “secure” and indicates if that website uses a Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) Certificate. In addition, you may have noticed a small lock icon next to the URL address, another indicator that the website uses an SSL Certificate. Having an SSL gives your small business an additional layer of cybersecurity. That’s why I ensure every website I build has an SSL Certificate.

Additional Cybersecurity Resources

• Article: FCC’s 10 Cyber Security Tips for Small Business
• Article: SBA’s Strengthening Your Cybersecurity
• Article: An Overview of WordPress Hardening
• Article: GoDaddy’s How to Check a Website for Malware
• Article: Wordfence Blog Articles
• Article: Ads for Fake AI and Other Software Spread Malicious Software
• Course: Google’s Introduction to Cybersecurity for Business
• Course: Google’s IT Security: Defense Against the Digital Dark Arts
• Course: Udemy Cyber Security Courses
• Webinar: Sucuri’s 2022 Hacked Websites Report
• Event: NIST Computer Security Resource Center Upcoming Events