Book an Appointment

Y-Not Tech Services Logo
  • Home
  • About
  • Contact
  • Services
    • Done-For-You Busienss IT Services
    • Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery
    • Home Security Suite
    • Password Protector
    • All Services
  • Best Antivirus
  • Articles
    • Browse All
    • What Happens When You Interrupt a Windows Update? | Y-Not Tech Services – Lethbridge, AB Computer Help
    • Do You Know Exactly What is Being Backed Up on Your Computer? – Y-Not Tech Services | Lethbridge, AB IT Business
    • 6 Reasons to Replace Your ISP Email | Y-Not Tech Services – Lethbridge, AB Computer Help
    • 6 Uses for Your Old, Extra Computers | Y-Not Tech Services – Lethbridge, AB Computer Help
    • A Friend of Mine Was the Victim of Bank Fraud in Lethbridge, AB
    • Avoid Duplicating Passwords | Y-Not Tech Services – Lethbridge, AB Computer Repair
  • Testimonials
  • Hours
  • Remote

SMBs Can Become a Weapon in Cyberwarfare | Y-Not Tech Services – Lethbridge, AB IT Support

January 17, 2023 by Tony Whitney

SMBs Can Become a Weapon in Cyberwarfare | Y-Not Tech Services - Lethbridge, AB IT Support

SMBs Can Become a Weapon in Cyberwarfare

Headlines today highlight Ukrainian tragedy or North Korea testing missiles. It can seem far away from your business, yet battles are being fought online, too. Your small business’s IT systems could be weaponized for cyberwarfare.

That statement may surprise you. You’ve heard of cyber targets such as:

  • critical national infrastructure;
  • election and voting organizations;
  • military databases;
  • government communication outlets.

In the days preceding Russia’s attack, 70 Ukrainian governmental organizations were hacked. Messages in Ukrainian, Russian, and Polish warned people to be afraid and expect the worst.

But, why would someone want to target your small business as part of their cyberwarfare? You may be only a stepping stone to help the attackers achieve their larger goal.

How your business can become a target

You could be the victim of a supply-chain or leap-frog attack, or you might have a business partner who is also an accountant to a defense contractor, or your business might be providing heating and air conditioning maintenance to a utility. That connection makes you interesting to hackers.

Attackers use you as a pawn in digital warfare. They expect you have fewer defenses than the highly funded end target, so they infect your network to facilitate their attack. They might send a fake invoice from your business to the target, one that is laden with a malicious payload. The client, trusting your credibility, opens the malware. From there, the attacker has access to the information they were seeking from the outset.

How to shore up your defenses

Increase your cyber vigilance. Don’t think that you are too small to be a target. Instead, create and maintain a cybersecurity plan. Follow best practices to keep your systems resilient, and ensure you have the proper protection in place.

This type of attack often leverages software vulnerabilities, so make sure that all your systems are up to date and patched, leverage antivirus tools, and stay current on the latest threats you should protect against.

Also, remind your employees about the importance of good cyber hygiene, the humans who work for you are often the weakest link. They don’t mean to cause any damage, but they click on that phishing email or go to that website with malware downloads embedded.

Multifactor authentication can also help you combat hacker access. Even if the bad actor does get a user’s credentials, they still need an approved device to get in. This makes it much more difficult to compromise your network.

It’s also a good idea to establish ongoing monitoring of any security events and install remote access controls. Geo-fencing can restrict certain foreign IP addresses, and Certificates can validate trusted computers that remotely access your systems. Then, use the data from those tools to identify any suspicious activity.

A managed service provider (MSP) can help with any of these defense tactics. We don’t want to see you turned into an unwitting weapon in someone’s cyberwarfare. Contact us today to learn more about what we can do to help reduce your attack surface.

Book an appointment today:

Book an Appointment

 

Filed Under: Business IT Tagged With: Computer help, computer help lethbridge, computer repair, computer repair Lethbridge, cybersecurity, cyberwarfare, digitalsecurity, techsecurity, Y-Not, y-not tech, ynot, ynot tech

Share:

Services

  • Web Design and Hosting
  • Upgrade to Solid State Drive
  • Laptop Screen Replacement
  • Virus Removal and Tuneup
  • Software Installation
  • Remote Connection Tech Support for Canada
  • On Site Service
  • One on One Technology Training
  • Hardware Install
  • Computer Diagnostic

Testimonials

  • Tony is knowledgeable, friendly and efficient. Read More
    Bruce W.
  • Tony was great to do business with. He knew exactly what needed to be done even with the little amount of information I had about the project!!! Competitive pricing I will definitely call him again!! Read More
    Graham F.
  • Very friendly, personable and present when explaining what is going on with the computer, appreciated a good dialogue and helpfulness you provided! Read More
    Darlene B.
    Lethbridge, AB
  • Tony is the best IT computer guy I have ever used, he has fixed problems the big guys said I had to buy a new computer for and then I got him to set up internet stuff for the house...again awesome and someone I trust. (from google.com) Read More
    David Duggan
  • Y-Not Tech Services is a excellent tech company that answers all your questions regarding computer problems. Tony is completely honest in explaining options to deal with the problem, and then recommends the best option to use. His advice is based on not just his own consensus, but as well checks with other techs in his... Read More
    Derrick Boyko
    Coaldale, AB
  • Tony walked in to drop off a business card and when he walked out. 3 issues I had on my computer were gone and I had a new anti virus. Phenomenal service I would recommend him to anyone ! (from facebook.com/ynottechservices) Read More
    Ryan Brigham
    Big Al's Music and Games in Lethbridge, AB
  • I trust my tech guy! ... (it's Tony) best option if you don't watch your scans and security. Read More
    Kehly Rath
  • Will recommend to anybody. He is darn good. Read More
    Shima Raj
  • He is fast to respond and has always been able to walk me through any problem I have. I always rely on Tony for my tech needs. Read More
    Heather Arstall
  • Will always recommend the best product or service to fit your unique needs. Read More
    Bev Trahan
Get Your Free Ebook

FOLLOW US

Book an Appointment with us!

Book an Appointment

Copyright © 2025 · Y-Not Tech Services · 534 17 st S, Lethbridge, Alberta (AB) T1J 3C3