You’re Not Too Small to Be Hacked

You’re Not Too Small to Be Hacked: Why Cybercriminals Love SMBs

If you run a small or mid-sized business in the UK, you might think, “We’re too small to be a target. Hackers only go after big corporations.”

That’s exactly why they’re coming for you….

Cybercriminals aren’t just attacking banks, hospitals, and large enterprises anymore. They’re hunting small businesses—because they’re easy targets.

43% of cyberattacks target small businesses.
82% of ransomware attacks hit SMEs.
60% of small businesses go under within six months of a cyberattack.

Why? Because big businesses invest heavily in cybersecurity. But SMEs? Many don’t even have basic protections in place.

Why Hackers Love Small Businesses

1️⃣ Easy Pickings – Big companies have full-time security teams. SMEs have… a single IT guy (or sometimes, just Google). Hackers know this.

2️⃣ Weak Defences – No MFA, weak passwords, outdated software, and zero cybersecurity training—most small businesses are low-hanging fruit.

3️⃣ A Backdoor to Bigger Targets – Small businesses often work with larger companies. Hackers break into you to reach them. (Think supply chain hacks—Target was hacked through a small HVAC vendor.)

4️⃣ High Payout, Low Risk – Ransomware attacks on SMEs move fast. Big companies have lawyers and security teams to fight back. Small businesses? They panic and pay.

5️⃣ It’s Automated – Hackers don’t manually target companies one by one. They automate attacks. If you’re on the internet, you’re already a target.

Real UK Small Businesses That Got Hacked – And Never Recovered

The 5-Person Marketing Agency That Lost Everything – A hacker emailed the finance director pretending to be the CEO, requesting an urgent bank transfer. The email looked 100% real. £45,000 gone overnight. The company folded within three months.

The Retail Business Wiped Out by Ransomware – A local retailer had all their stock and financial records locked by ransomware. They had no backups. The hackers demanded £20,000. They couldn’t pay. They shut down.

The Accounting Firm That Lost Client Trust – A phishing attack stole their client financial records. When word got out, clients panicked and left. Their reputation never recovered.

The Construction Firm That Paid Hackers £150,000 – A ransomware attack crippled their supply chain, invoices, and emails. With projects delayed and workers unpaid, they paid up. The hackers came back six months later.

How to Protect Your Small Business – Without a Huge Budget

✅ 1. Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) Everywhere – 99% of automated cyberattacks fail if MFA is enabled. One simple step makes a massive difference.

✅ 2. Train Your Staff to Spot Cyber Attacks – Cybercriminals target humans, not just computers. Your staff needs real training, not just a once-a-year security video.

✅ 3. Keep Software & Systems Updated – Outdated software is a goldmine for hackers. If you’re running old versions of Windows, Office, or third-party tools, you’re an easy target.

✅ 4. Use Strong, Unique Passwords & A Password Manager – Reusing passwords is a guaranteed way to get hacked. If you use the same password on multiple sites, your business is already at risk.

✅ 5. Backup Everything, Every Day – Ransomware can wipe out your business overnight. If you don’t have secure, offsite backups, you have no way to recover.

✅ 6. Test Your Own Defences – Run a penetration test. Simulate a phishing attack. Try to break into your own systems. If you don’t, a hacker will do it for you.

✅ 7. Get Professional Cybersecurity Support – A Managed Security Service Provider (MSSP) such as Munio can monitor threats, detect attacks, and stop breaches before they happen. The cost of protection is always lower than the cost of an attack.

If You’re Connected, You’re a Target

Still think you’re too small to be hacked?

If you have a bank account, employees, suppliers, customer data, or an email address—you’re a target. Hackers don’t care about your size. They care about how easy you are to hack.

Want to find out how vulnerable your business really is? We’re offering a free Professional Ransomware Resiliance Assessment for UK businesses that take security seriously.

Click here to book yours now. Because small businesses don’t get second chances.