Cyber-Security Basics for SMEs: 10-Minute Wins That Thwart 80% of Attacks

It might surprise you that small businesses are a favorite target for hackers – in 2021, 61% of SMBs were hit by cyberattacks StrongDM: SMB Cyberattack Statistics. The even better news? About 80–90% of breaches happen because of simple mistakes like clicking a phishing link or using a weak password Spanning: Phishing Attack Statistics and StrongDM: Authentication Statistics. That means you can stop most attacks with just a few quick actions. The tips below each take about 10 minutes but can block the vast majority of common threats.

Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Turn on MFA for your email, file sharing, and any accounts that support it. This adds a second check (like a code on your phone) after your password. Even if a criminal guesses your password, they still can't log in without that extra code. The U.S. Cybersecurity Agency notes that MFA makes you 99% less likely to be hacked CISA: MFA Best Practices. In practice, it's one of the simplest ways to instantly boost security.
Use Strong, Unique Passwords: Never reuse passwords across accounts and avoid obvious passwords (like "password123"!). Use long passphrases or a password manager to generate and store complex passwords. In fact, 80% of all hacking incidents involve stolen or compromised credentials StrongDM: Password Security Statistics. A password manager (many good ones are free or low-cost) can auto-fill unique passwords so you don't have to remember them. This way, even if one account is breached, other accounts stay safe.
Keep Software and Antivirus Updated: On every computer, phone, and tablet, turn on automatic updates for the operating system and apps. Software makers regularly release patches that fix security holes. If you don't install these patches, hackers can exploit those gaps. Similarly, use the built-in antivirus or install one and keep it current – it scans for known malware. As Kaspersky advises, updating your software and security tools closes vulnerabilities Kaspersky: SMB Security Guide Kaspersky: Vulnerability Management. (Tip: also check your Wi-Fi router firmware and update it if needed)
Back Up Your Data Regularly: Set up automatic backups of your files to an external drive or a trusted cloud service. This way, if ransomware or any disaster strikes, you can restore everything without paying a ransom. Many businesses skip this, but it only takes a few minutes to schedule a backup routine. Store an offline copy of your most important files so they aren't affected by online attacks Kaspersky: Data Backup Best Practices. Having backups is your safety net – it makes attacks like ransomware much less damaging.
Be Wary of Phishing Emails: Most breaches start when someone clicks a bad link or attachment. Teach yourself (and your team) to double-check emails. If an email asks you to log in or enter personal data, go directly to the company's website instead of clicking the link. Look out for typos or odd sender addresses, and never enable macros or downloads from unknown sources. Remember: over 80% of security incidents begin with social engineering (phishing) attacks Spanning: Phishing Statistics. A pause of a few seconds to think or a quick call to verify can save you from a big headache later.

Secure your office network. Secure Your Wi-Fi Network: Change the default Wi-Fi name (SSID) and password on your router. Use WPA2 or WPA3 encryption, not the old WEP, and choose a strong passphrase (not "12345678"). This simple step keeps outsiders from piggybacking on your internet. Also, change the router's admin login (often "admin") to something only you know. As Kaspersky notes, upgrading your network to modern encryption and a complex passkey goes a long way in preventing break-ins Kaspersky: Wi-Fi Security Guide. In short: lock down your wireless so only people you trust can connect.

Enable Your Firewall: Most operating systems have a built-in firewall – make sure it's turned on. A firewall monitors incoming traffic and can block suspicious connections. Likewise, make sure your computers and devices have antivirus (or anti-malware) enabled and updated. These tools work quietly in the background to catch known threats. (On Windows, for example, Windows Defender antivirus and firewall are on by default; just keep them active.) Having these defenses turned on adds another barrier against attacks without any extra effort on your part.

Each of these actions is quick and easy, and together they stop a large share of cyber threats in their tracks. In most cases, these "10-minute wins" eliminate the most common attack methods – meaning your data, your customer info, and your business can sleep a little easier tonight.

Of course, there's more to cyber-security as your business grows. Cybergarden's Security Sprint service offers a full diagnostic and advanced protections beyond the basics. We'll work with you to harden your systems, set up monitoring, and ensure nothing slips through the cracks. If you're ready to level up your defenses, contact Cybergarden to learn more – we make it easy to go from "good" security to great security.

Sources: Authoritative cybersecurity reports and guides from: