Top 5 Cybersecurity Mistakes Small Businesses Make And How to Avoid Them

1. Introduction

Many small business owners think cybercriminals only target big companies. The truth? Hackers love going after small businesses because they often have weaker security. A single cyberattack can cause lost revenue, damaged reputation, and even legal trouble.

Here are the top 10 mistakes small businesses make when it comes to cybersecurity — and how you can avoid them.

Weak Passwords

The mistake: Using simple passwords like 123456 or password.
The fix: Use strong, unique passwords for every account and store them in a password manager.

No Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

The mistake: Relying only on passwords for protection.
The fix: Enable MFA wherever possible — it adds an extra step, like a one-time code, that hackers can’t easily bypass.

Not Training Employees

The mistake: Assuming staff will “just know” how to avoid scams.
The fix: Provide short, regular training sessions on spotting phishing emails, handling data safely, and using secure passwords.

Ignoring Software Updates

The mistake: Delaying updates because they’re “annoying” or “take too long.”
The fix: Turn on automatic updates so security fixes install as soon as they’re released.

No Data Backup Plan

The mistake: Thinking “it won’t happen to us.”
The fix: Back up important files regularly to both a secure cloud service and an offline drive.

Have questions or want a tailored cybersecurity strategy? Reach out — let’s make sure you and your data stay safe in this ever-evolving digital landscape.