"We Are Too Small For a Cyber Attack"

You might think your business—just a few employees, modest revenue, and local customers—isn’t “big enough” to be targeted by cybercriminals. The truth? That couldn’t be farther from reality.

In 2025, nearly half of all cyberattacks targeted small businesses, and breaches now occur so frequently that they happen roughly every 11 seconds. Beyond the inconvenience, the cost can be devastating: losses can average six figures, and 60% of small businesses that suffer a cyberattack close within six months.

Those numbers aren’t just data points — they’re a wake-up call.

According to a 2023 Hiscox survey, 41 % of small businesses experienced a cyber‑attack, with a median loss of $8,300. The 2023 Business Impact Report from the Identity Theft Resource Center shows that over 2,100 data compromises were reported that year, and more than 1,300 organizations—many of them SMBs—were affected by attacks on just 87 vendors. Even earlier data indicate that 58 % of all reported cyber attacks in 2020 targeted small businesses. These figures demonstrate that size offers no immunity; rather, limited budgets and fewer dedicated security staff often make SMBs attractive prey.

Below are three common ways attackers breach smaller firms, illustrated with realistic scenarios that could happen to any business with 2‑30 employees.

Top 3 Ways Small Businesses Are Being Attacked Today

Cybercriminals don’t need massive networks or high-profile targets to make money. They target weak defenses — and small businesses often have exactly that.

Phishing & Social Engineering

More than ever, attackers rely on human error. They send deceptive emails or messages that look like they’re from someone you trust — a vendor, a partner, even a coworker — tricking employees into giving up passwords or downloading malware.

Ransomware Attacks

Ransomware is software that locks your systems or data until you pay a ransom. Even if you have backups, downtime can cost tens of thousands of dollars in lost productivity and customer trust.

Malware & Credential Theft

Malicious software often enters through everyday interactions — clicking a bad link, installing unvetted software, or reusing weak passwords. Once inside, attackers can steal sensitive customer data or financial information.

1. Phishing‑Driven Credential Theft (Social Engineering)

Scenario:Maria runs a boutique graphic‑design studio with five staff members. One morning she receives an email that appears to come from her accounting software provider, urging her to “verify your login” because of suspicious activity. The link leads to a convincing clone of the provider’s portal. Maria enters her credentials, which are instantly captured by the attacker. Within minutes the hacker uses those same credentials to log into the studio’s cloud storage, downloading client files and invoicing data. Because the compromised account had admin rights, the attacker also creates new user accounts to maintain persistent access.

Why it works for SMBs:Phishing attacks account for 18 % of all SMB breaches and are especially effective when employees lack regular security awareness training. Smaller teams often share a single set of admin credentials, amplifying the damage from one compromised login.

2. Ransomware Delivered via Malicious Attachment

Scenario:A local coffee shop with eight employees uses a shared network drive for inventory spreadsheets. An employee receives a PDF invoice from a “new supplier.” Opening the file triggers a hidden PowerShell script that encrypts every file on the network drive, appending the “.locked” extension. The ransomware note demands a payment of $5,900—the average ransom demanded of small businesses in 2023. With no recent backups, the shop must shut down operations for days while negotiating with the attackers, losing revenue and customers.

Why it works for SMBs:Ransomware attacks hit 46 % of breaches affecting companies with fewer than 1,000 employees. Limited backup strategies and slower incident‑response capabilities make recovery costly and time‑consuming.

3. Supply‑Chain Compromise Through a Third‑Party Vendor

Scenario:TodoSecure’s client, a small legal practice, relies on an external payroll service to process employee wages. The payroll provider suffers a breach that exposes its API keys. Attackers use those keys to inject malicious code into the practice’s payroll portal, stealing client contact information and billing records. Because the legal firm trusts the vendor’s security, it never suspects the breach until clients begin receiving phishing emails referencing confidential case details.

Why it works for SMBs:The 2023 Business Impact Report notes that more than 1,300 organizations were impacted by attacks on just 87 vendors, highlighting how a single compromised supplier can cascade across many small businesses. SMBs often lack the resources to vet every third‑party’s security posture thoroughly.

How TodoSecure Protects Small Businesses

At TodoSecure (www.todosecure.net) we specialize in turning these vulnerabilities into strengths:

• Comprehensive Security Assessments – We evaluate your network, devices, and third‑party integrations to identify gaps before attackers do.

• Employee Awareness Training – Tailored, bite‑size modules teach staff to spot phishing, handle attachments safely, and follow best practices for credential hygiene.

• Managed Detection & Response (MDR) – Continuous monitoring catches ransomware activity and anomalous logins early, allowing rapid containment.

• Automated, Off‑Site Backups – Daily encrypted backups stored separately from your primary environment ensure you can restore operations without paying a ransom.

• Vendor Risk Management – We help you assess and monitor the security posture of critical suppliers, reducing supply‑chain exposure.

By partnering with TodoSecure, small businesses gain enterprise‑grade protection without the overhead of a full‑time security team. Don’t let size dictate your risk—let us safeguard your data, reputation, and bottom line.