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Spring into Action: Unusual Cybersecurity Threats & How to Protect Your Business

As the flowers bloom and the birds sing, it’s a perfect time to freshen up your cybersecurity knowledge. While we all know about ransomware and phishing scams, there are some lesser-known and unusual cybersecurity threats that could sneak up on your business like a mischievous squirrel in your garden.

Let’s dive into these hidden dangers and learn how to protect your business from them.

5 Unusual Cybersecurity Threats to Your Business

Here are five of the top unusual cybersecurity threats out there.

1. Compromised Office Equipment

Just like how your garden gnome might secretly be plotting against you, your office equipment could be a target for hackers. Anything connected to your WiFi, like smart printers, can be exploited if not properly secured. Outdated firmware and direct network connections can provide unauthorized access points, allowing attackers to extract sensitive information or deploy malware. Regularly updating firmware and monitoring network activity are key to keeping those devices as harmless as a daisy. 

2. Risks of Public Charging Stations

Plugging your device into public USB charging stations might seem convenient, but it can expose you to juice jacking. This sneaky threat occurs when compromised charging ports transfer malware to your device, potentially leading to data theft or unauthorized access to sensitive business information. To protect your data, use personal chargers and portable batteries, and avoid public charging stations like you avoid stepping on a bee. 

3. Acoustic Data Transmission

It’s not a sci-fi novel, it’s real; your sensitive data can be transmitted using sound waves—even between devices that aren’t connected to any network. Data-over-sound means that your data is encoded into an acoustic signal, sort of like an audio QR code, which is sent through the air and received by a listening device. This technique, also known as ultrasonic data exfiltration, allows attackers to compromise information without physical connections, making detection difficult. Implementing comprehensive security measures and monitoring unusual device behavior can help detect and prevent such covert data transmissions. 

4. Vulnerabilities in IoT Devices

Internet of Things (IoT) devices, such as smart thermostats and security cameras, can be used by cybercriminals to monitor business activities or initiate attacks. Imagine your cameras hacked into and cybercriminals watching your screens as you sift through bank statements or charge client credit cards. There are simple ways to keep these devices secure, such as by changing default passwords, regularly updating firmware, and segmenting IoT devices on separate networks to minimize potential breaches. 

5. Sophisticated Invoice Fraud

Cybercriminals are increasingly targeting businesses by infiltrating supplier email systems to manipulate invoices, diverting payments into their own accounts. Since fraudulent invoices mimic legitimate ones, this form of fraud often goes undetected until financial discrepancies arise. Implementing strict verification processes, such as confirming payment details directly with suppliers, can help prevent unauthorized transactions. 

How to Protect Your Business

You may notice some recurring themes to mitigate these atypical cyberthreats. To protect your business from these emerging threats, consider implementing these essential measures: 

  • Secure office devices: Regularly update firmware and monitor network activity of all connected equipment. 
  • Avoid public charging stations: Use personal chargers and portable batteries to reduce exposure to potential threats. 
  • Monitor IoT devices: Keep an inventory of all IoT devices and ensure they meet security standards. 
  • Verify payment processes: Implement procedures to confirm payment details directly with suppliers before transactions. 

As always, training employees in security principles is crucial. Establish basic security practices and policies, such as requiring strong passwords and setting appropriate internet use guidelines. Educating your team about these SMB cyberthreats can significantly reduce the risk of a security breach. 

Yes, the cyber threat landscape is evolving rapidly, and while high-profile attacks make headlines, it’s often these unusual, under-the-radar threats that pose an arguably greater risk to small businesses. By staying informed and proactive, you can better protect your business from the financial and reputational harm of a data breach. 

Our experts at Kelley Create can help you protect your business. Contact us today. 

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