Why Small Businesses Are the #1 Target for Cybercriminals

(And What Actually Works to Stop Them — From Asheville to Hendersonville)

When you hear about cyberattacks in the news, it’s easy to think they only hit big companies. But for small and mid-sized businesses across Western North Carolina — from Asheville to Hendersonville and beyond — the threat is very real, very present, and growing.

Cybercriminals are targeting small businesses because they know most don’t have dedicated security teams, formal plans, or strong protections in place. That makes the payoff easier and the risk to attackers lower.

And the data backs that up.

Cybercrime Isn’t Just a Big Company Problem

A recent survey shows that more than 40% of U.S. small and medium-sized businesses have already experienced a cyberattack, yet most are still handling security on their own without formal plans or professional support. IT Pro

Industry reports from 2025 confirm that small businesses are bearing the brunt of ransomware and other attacks, with smaller organizations disproportionately hit compared to larger enterprises. Infosecurity Magazine

Even major breaches continue to make headlines — like a recent cyberattack on a large insurance company that exposed sensitive personal data for millions of people. TechRadar While that example involves a large organization, it’s a reminder that attackers are active and evolving their tactics constantly.

Why Small Businesses Are Appealing Targets

Here’s what makes small businesses particularly appealing to attackers:

• Limited security infrastructure — Many SMBs lack a full-time IT or cybersecurity team.

• Trust-based relationships — Attackers exploit familiarity with vendors, clients, or community contacts.

• Valuable access points — Payroll systems, bank accounts, and email are all valuable targets.

• Low visibility — Smaller breaches often go unreported and unresolved for longer.

According to global cybersecurity outlooks, many small organizations are nearing a “breaking point” where they can no longer effectively secure themselves against these evolving threats without external support or structured plans. CSO Online

The Attacks Hitting Small Businesses Most Often

Here are the most common ways cybercriminals gain a foothold:

Phishing EmailsThese are messages that look legitimate but trick employees into clicking malicious links or giving up credentials.

Impersonation ScamsAttackers pretend to be vendors, clients, or even internal staff to manipulate payments or access systems.

RansomwareThis malware locks up business data and systems until a ransom is paid — and small businesses are now a frequent target. Verizon

Credential TheftStolen passwords and reused credentials give attackers entry to email, cloud services, and financial tools.

The good news is that most of these attacks succeed for the same basic reasons — and the same protections dramatically reduce risk.

What Actually Works to Protect Your Business

You don’t need to spend like a large corporation to make your business much safer. Here are the basic protections that stop most real-world attacks:

1. Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

MFA adds a second step — like a phone app or confirmation code — on top of a password. It’s one of the simplest but most effective tools to stop unauthorized access.

Turn it on for:

• Email accounts (especially Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace)

• Payroll and accounting systems

• Remote access tools

• 
  

2. Employee Awareness (the Human Firewall)

Because most attacks start with a message or link, the people in your business are the first line of defense. Teach your team to:

• Pause before clicking anything unexpected

• Verify changes to payment instructions

• Report suspicious emails to a trusted contact

This kind of awareness pays off quickly in real-world situations.

3. Backups That Work

Backups are only useful if they:

• Run automatically

• Are stored securely

• Are tested occasionally

A backup that fails when you need it most isn’t a backup at all.

4. Better Email Filtering

Email filters can catch phishing attempts and dangerous attachments before they ever reach inboxes, reducing the number of threats employees even have to think about.

5. Keep Systems Updated

Outdated software and devices are common entry points for attackers. Keeping everything up-to-date closes known holes and reduces risk.

Cybersecurity Isn’t Just IT — It’s Business Protection

For small businesses in Asheville, Hendersonville, and across Western North Carolina, cybersecurity matters because it affects reputation, operations, and the bottom line. A breach can disrupt operations for days, damage customer trust, and create expensive recovery costs.

The goal isn’t perfection — it’s resilience. When you put a few smart protections in place, most attackers move on to easier targets.

Staying informed, prepared, and proactive isn’t just an IT decision — it’s a business decision.