Accucom Blog

As a cybersecurity professional, I've seen organizations of all sizes and sectors make a critical, often fatal, mistake: they wait for the water to boil. They operate under a reactive cybersecurity model, adopting the same slow, passive approach as the hapless subject of the boiled frog analogy.

It’s a tale I recently rediscovered, and it's a chillingly perfect metaphor for modern cyberrisk. Imagine a frog enjoying a cool bath as the water is slowly, almost imperceptibly, heated. It thinks it’s enjoying a relaxing bath until the water reaches a lethal temperature. By then, it’s too late. The danger has crept up, and the frog is boiled.

Imagine you’re going through your workday, business as usual, until all of a sudden, you lose control of your computer. A message displays across your screen stating that your files have been encrypted and they will be permanently deleted unless you pay a huge ransom. Meanwhile, you’re sitting there thinking, “Why me? Why my small business?”

Cybersecurity is not just for enterprises; it’s for all businesses, big and small. You need to take proactive measures now so you don’t pay for your inaction later.

There are a lot of threats out there, ranging from simple and annoying viruses to business-ending ransomware. Do you know how these threats end up on your network in the first place, and more importantly, how do you protect your network from these threats? Today, we’re exploring the various avenues a cybersecurity threat might take to install itself on your device, as well as what you can do about it.

One of the most common tactics used by folks in the service industry is free Wi-Fi. It draws in people who want to work out of the office in places such as coffee shops, restaurants, and book stores… but how much can you actually trust that free wireless access? We think it’s probably shadier than you think, and if you’re smart, you’ll avoid using it for the following reasons.

IT support is one of those necessary parts of running a business, whether it’s to handle the small issues or the larger problems. The worst of us, however, take advantage of people’s need for IT support and leverage it in targeted attacks to exploit others. We’re talking, of course, about cybercriminals, and if you’re not careful, you might find yourself the target of a fake IT support attack.

If you are like me, you’re constantly juggling a dozen different things. You spend your days building client relationships, refining your product, and handling situations you never could have dreamed up. The last thing you need is to lose sleep worrying about whether or not your data is safe.

The truth is, cyberattacks are a very real risk for everyone. Ransomware, phishing scams, and other cyberattacks can cripple your business’ ability to thrive. Here are some smart, proactive steps you can take to build a strong security posture that will go a long way toward protecting your digital assets.

Is your business prepared to square off against ransomware? It can be scary to even imagine your business becoming the target of an attack that essentially takes your operations hostage. Are you going to let ransomware extort money, hold your data for ransom, and threaten your business’ future? The answer is no, and we’ll show you how you can not only prevent ransomware attacks, but respond appropriately in case you can’t completely prevent them.

How well is your business secured? At the very least, you’re bound to have a lock on your business’ doors, with additional locks protecting different rooms, desk drawers, and other resources, right? Of course… otherwise, you’re leaving your business vulnerable to all kinds of crime.

You need to have the same prepared for the digital side of your business as well, in the form of written policies. Let’s go over five of the security policies you absolutely need.

How much does your business prioritize security on the organizational level? The more your business relies on technology, the more susceptible it is to the countless threats that exist in the technological space, and you have to remain cognizant of that as you strive to move your business forward. Today, we’re looking at how each and every individual on your staff contributes to the security of your organization and, consequently, its data.

Don’t underestimate the danger of a cyberattack. Even small ones that are seemingly insignificant compared to major threats, like ransomware, have the potential to cause serious disruption to your operations. Regardless of the severity of the threat, you want to have an incident response plan that is tested, documented, and ready to deploy at a moment’s notice. Let’s go over what happens in the hour following a cyberattack and why acting quickly is so important.

It can be challenging to find reliable IT advice nowadays, particularly when it comes to cybersecurity. Between coworkers with the best intentions and the online influencers selling their guides and platforms, there’s a lot of advice out there. Unfortunately, a lot of it is outdated or incorrect.

This can be actively dangerous where your business’ security is concerned.

Let’s address some of the most common security myths we still encounter far too often.

From the chatbots you interact with to the tools helping you draft emails or analyze data, AI is everywhere. It’s an amazing tool that can help you boost efficiency and completely realign everything you do. Here’s something crucial you might not have on your radar: prompt hacking.

This isn't some far-fetched tech nightmare; it's a real and present danger. Prompt hacking can quietly undermine your company's data security, reputation, and its financial health; and since business today is increasingly AI-driven, understanding this isn't just your IT department’s job—it's yours too.

Most, if not all, of us have heard the most famous phishing story of them all: how the ancient city of Troy, after ten years of war, finally fell after a raiding party was allowed into the gates by hiding in the belly of a constructed wooden horse. It’s true… the legend of the Trojan horse, already associated by name with a nasty cyberattack, is arguably also a cautionary tale about how effective phishing can be.

Let’s go over how you can help protect your business from falling for this truly classic ruse.

Data breaches are scary, and in many cases, they can be enough to topple even the most stable businesses. They’re not entirely unpredictable, though, and the right actions can make them significantly easier to predict and prevent. Today, we want to cover three of the most common ways data breaches happen and what you can do to keep your business safe.

Did you hear about the recent data breach that exposed 16 billion passwords for logins, including social media accounts, virtual private networks, and corporate tools? While the breach is bad, yes, the truth of the matter is that the situation may be misleading, at least on the surface. 

Let’s take a look at why and learn a few lessons in the process.

How much do you know about your business’ security infrastructure? With advanced cyberthreats breathing down everyone’s neck, it’s no wonder that more companies than ever before are investing in advanced security measures. Here are some of the critical components you’ll need to consider to keep your business safe.

Ransomware is still a problem for businesses of all industries and sizes, from small mom-and-pop shops to the large enterprise. If you’re unprepared for a ransomware attack, you’re looking at significant consequences, many of which affect your business beyond the budget.

Today, we’re taking a look at ransomware in the context of what it is: an existential threat to your business.

Cyberthreats are not just a far-off, big-corporation problem. Hackers’ goal is to steal your most valuable information—from customer lists and financial records to employee details; or money. The fallout from such an attack can be devastating, impacting not just your finances but the hard-earned trust you've built with your customers.

A data breach can cause countless problems for just about any business, including exposed customer details, company secrets, or financial information. Most businesses will signal a red alert the moment a breach is brought to light, but a prepared business will fare much better than an unprepared one. Today, we want to explore data breaches and how your organization can overcome them (or minimize the threat of them).

Businesses are constantly juggling customers, orders, and a dozen other things. The last thing you need is a digital thief trying to get their hands on your hard-earned money. Unfortunately, there are a lot of online tricksters out there, and they often like to pick on small businesses, thinking they're easier targets. 

Let’s look at some of the common tricks these cybercriminals use and how having good computer support can be like having a trusty guard dog for your business information.