If you run a small business in the Yadkin Valley or Twin Counties, it’s easy to assume that cybercriminals aren’t interested in you. After all, why would international hackers target a local shop, a family-owned construction firm, or a regional non-profit when there are Fortune 500 companies with deep pockets?

For years, this logic held up. But according to the latest cybersecurity data, the landscape has shifted dramatically.

The Reality: Small Businesses Are Now the Primary Targets

A recent analysis by Proton highlights a worrying trend: while the massive, headline-grabbing ransom demands are dropping, the volume of attacks is rising.

Why? Because big corporations have gotten better at defense. They have massive security teams, robust backups, and legal policies that often prohibit paying ransoms.

Frustrated by these “hard targets,” cybercriminals have pivoted to the path of least resistance: Small and Medium-sized Businesses (SMBs).

The “Spray and Pray” Tactic

Hackers rarely choose a specific local business out of a lineup. Instead, they use automated tools to scan thousands of networks at once, looking for known vulnerabilities—like an unpatched piece of software or a weak password.

If your digital door is unlocked, they walk in. It’s nothing personal; it’s just a numbers game.

Key Stat: According to a report by Verizon, ransomware attacks now account for 88% of cybersecurity incidents involving SMBs, compared to just 39% for large enterprises.

It’s Not Just About the Ransom

The biggest cost of a ransomware attack isn’t usually the check you write to the hackers (though that is painful enough). The real killer is downtime.

Imagine coming into work tomorrow morning and finding that:

• You can’t access your customer database.
• Your invoicing system is encrypted.
• Your email is locked.

How long could you operate without those tools? A day? A week? For many small businesses, a week of total downtime can be fatal.

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5 Steps to Build Your Shield

The good news is that you don’t need a Fortune 500 budget to defend yourself. Most ransomware attacks succeed because of basic lapses in hygiene, not because of sophisticated “Mission Impossible” hacking.

Here are five practical steps you can take today to harden your defenses:

1. The “Human Firewall” (Training)

Your technology is only as strong as the person using it. Most ransomware enters via a phishing email—a fake invoice, a “security alert,” or a link from a compromised contact. Regularly reminding your team (and yourself) to pause before clicking can stop an attack before it starts.

2. The Golden Rule: Backups

If your data is encrypted by hackers, your best defense is a clean, recent backup. If you have a backup that is offline (not connected to your main network), you can simply wipe your systems and restore them. You win, and the hackers get nothing.

3. Patch Your Software

Those “Update Available” notifications are annoying, but they are vital. Software companies release updates to fix security holes. If you ignore them, you are leaving the back door open for automated scanners to find.

4. Turn on Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), often called 2-Factor Authentication, is the single most effective way to prevent unauthorized access. Even if a hacker guesses your password, they can’t get in without that second code sent to your phone. Enable MFA on your email, bank accounts, and business software immediately.

5. Limit Access

Does every employee need administrative access to every file? Probably not. By limiting access to only what each person needs to do their job, you reduce the risk and potential damage of a ransomware infection.

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You Don’t Have to Fight Alone

Cybersecurity can feel overwhelming, but it’s a standard part of doing business in the modern world. You manage inventory, you manage payroll, and now, you must manage your digital security.

But you don’t have to do it alone.

As your Trusted local technology partner, Corespark is here to help you assess your risk and put the right “digital locks” in place. We focus on the basics that offer the highest protection so you can focus on running your business.

Worried about your security posture?

Don’t wait for a breach to find the holes in your defense. Take your free Tech Risk Assessment today. In just 2-minutes, you can discover your technical risk score as well as personalized recommendations to decrease your risk.