Think You’re Too Small to Be a Target? Cybercriminals Disagree

It’s natural that small businesses would assume cybercriminals have bigger fish to fry. After all, why would hackers bother with a company of your size when they could target huge corporations with a lot deeper pockets?

Unfortunately, that’s exactly the mindset cybercriminals are counting on.

While the number of medium- and large-sized businesses targeted remains high, 35% of micro businesses and 42% of small businesses in the government’s Cyber Security Breaches Survey 2025 identified phishing attacks. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are often seen as easier targets. With fewer resources, outdated systems, and limited cybersecurity expertise, they’re more likely to have exploitable vulnerabilities. And unlike large enterprises, most SMEs can’t afford to absorb the impact of a serious attack – financially or reputationally.

In this blog, we’ll explore why cybercriminals actively go after smaller businesses, the common tactics they use, and how a few smart cybersecurity practices can make a huge difference to your cyber resilience.

What Draws Hackers to Small Businesses

Cybercriminals don’t care about your company’s size – they care about how easy you are to breach. And for many attackers, smaller businesses are the low-hanging fruit.

1. Limited cybersecurity resources
   Unlike larger firms with dedicated IT teams and layered security systems, SMEs often rely on basic protections, if any at all. This makes it far easier for hackers to exploit known weaknesses like outdated software or unsecured networks.
2. Automated attacks make everyone a target
   Modern cyber-attacks aren’t manually aimed at Fortune 500 companies. Hackers use automated tools that scan the internet for vulnerabilities, such as open ports, weak passwords, and unpatched systems. If your business fits the criteria, you’re in the crosshairs whether you’re a two-person shop, a team of fifty, or a massive enterprise.
3. Valuable data, regardless of company size
   Even small businesses store sensitive information: customer details, payroll data, payment credentials, or supplier information. All of that has value, either to the attacker directly or on the dark web. If you’ve got data, you’ve got something to lose.
4. Perception of weaker defences
   Hackers know that many SMEs assume they’re “too small to matter” and often skip proper security measures as a result. That makes them not just viable targets, but preferred ones.

Common Attacks That Hit Small Businesses

When most people think of cyber-attacks, they imagine large-scale data breaches making headlines and causing chaos. But for small businesses, the reality is often quieter, although just as devastating. Here are some of the most common attack types targeting SMEs today:

Ransomware
One of the most damaging threats and an increasingly common one, with the Cyber Security Breaches Survey 2025 claiming “the prevalence of ransomware among businesses has significantly increased between 2024 and 2025”. Ransomware encrypts your files and holds them hostage until you pay up – often in cryptocurrency. For smaller businesses without backups or a recovery plan, the choice is grim: pay the ransom or lose access to critical data and systems.

Invoice & email fraud (Business Email Compromise)
Cybercriminals impersonate trusted suppliers or internal staff, usually through a spoofed or compromised email account, and trick employees into paying fake invoices or transferring funds. These scams are slick, believable, and sadly, very successful, with 31% of UK businesses falling victim to invoice fraud in the past 12 months, according to research from Ivalua.

Phishing attacks
Disguised as legitimate messages from banks, couriers, or even colleagues, phishing emails are designed to fool recipients into clicking a link or entering login credentials. Once access is gained, hackers can steal data or escalate to further attacks.

Software vulnerability exploits
Outdated systems and unpatched software are open doors for attackers. Many small businesses delay updates due to time or fear of disruption, ironically making themselves more vulnerable to attack in the process.

No matter how the attack starts, the end result is usually the same: downtime, financial loss, and a long road to recovery.

The Hidden Cost of “Small” Cyber Incidents

Cyber-attacks don’t need to be large-scale to cause real damage. Even a single breach can leave small businesses struggling to recover. Here’s what’s at stake:

• Lost revenue during downtime: If your systems go down – even for a few hours – you’re losing productivity, customer trust, and money. SMEs often lack the buffer to absorb these disruptions.
• High recovery costs: Whether it’s paying IT experts, replacing hardware, or investigating the breach, costs quickly add up. And that’s before you factor in lost data or disrupted services.
• Reputational harm: Customers and partners expect you to protect their information. Even a minor breach can seriously damage your credibility and relationships.
• Legal and compliance risks: If customer data is exposed, you may need to report the incident to regulators and notify those affected – potentially leading to fines or legal action.

Small Steps, Big Difference: What You Can Do Now

You don’t need a massive IT department to improve your cybersecurity. A few straightforward measures can drastically reduce your risk of being caught out by an attack.

• Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA)
  MFA adds an extra layer of security beyond just a password. Even if login details are stolen, MFA makes it far harder for hackers to gain access.
• Train your staff to spot threats
  Your team is your first line of defence. Regular training helps employees recognise phishing emails, suspicious attachments, and social engineering tactics.
• Keep your systems updatedApply patches and updates as soon as they’re available. These often fix known vulnerabilities that cybercriminals are actively exploiting.
• Back up your data securely
  Regular, off-site backups ensure you can recover quickly if ransomware strikes. Make sure backups are protected and tested regularly.
• Work with an experienced IT provider
  A trusted IT partner can monitor your systems, apply protections, and respond quickly when something doesn’t look right. With managed IT support, you’re never left exposed.

Cybercriminals rely on businesses overlooking the basics. But by putting simple protections in place now, you can avoid costly problems down the road.

You’re Never Too Small to Be Targeted

Cybercriminals don’t discriminate based on business size; they target opportunity. And for many attackers, small businesses offer the perfect combination of valuable data and weak defences.

But you’re not powerless. With a few smart steps and the right support, you can make your business far less appealing to attackers.

At Confidence IT, we help small businesses across Milton Keynes stay protected with affordable, effective cybersecurity solutions. From phishing prevention and patch management to secure backups and staff training, we tailor our support to what your business really needs – without the enterprise price tag.

Don’t wait until it’s too late. Get in touch with us today to book your cybersecurity audit and find out how we can help protect your business before it becomes a target.