We know being online and visible is a must for businesses nowadays. But with that comes a whole host of potential threats that can seriously disrupt operations or damage reputations if not properly addressed. From malicious hackers to disgruntled employees, the risks are very real.

Here are the 8 biggest online threats your organization should be aware of, why they’re so dangerous, and what you can do to protect yourself and continue posting and driving online growth.

Malware/Viruses

Malicious software designed to infiltrate systems and wreak havoc comes in many forms like viruses, trojans, ransomware and more. Over 230,000 new malware samples are detected daily. Just one infection can cripple productivity by corrupting data, monitoring user activity, or locking you out entirely until a ransom is paid.

Use reputable antivirus/anti-malware software and keep it updated, along with your operating system and other programs. Be extremely cautious with email attachments, links, downloads, and untrusted websites that could harbor malicious code. Enable firewalls, use strong unique passwords, back up data regularly, avoid sensitive activities on public Wi-Fi, enable two-factor authentication where possible, and stay informed on the latest security threats and best protection practices.

Phishing Attacks

Phishing relies on cleverly crafted emails or websites to trick users into handing over login credentials or downloading malware. A shocking 30% of phishing emails get opened. With that kind of open rate, it only takes one wrong click from an employee to potentially compromise business data and finances.

Train employees to recognize faulty emails and messages and test them with drill runs. You’ll be glad they know what to look for and will avoid major breaches by doing so. 

DDoS Attacks

A distributed denial of service (DDoS) attack overwhelms systems by flooding servers with bogus traffic from multiple sources. This can completely shut down websites and online operations. Over 2.9 million DDoS attacks were recorded in the first half of 2021 alone.

To prevent DDoS attacks, implement rate limiting and traffic filtering mechanisms to restrict the volume of incoming traffic and block malicious sources. Your organization could also use a web application firewall to detect and mitigate common DDoS attack patterns. Employ load balancing and content delivery networks to distribute traffic across multiple servers and geographic locations. Regularly update and patch systems to eliminate vulnerabilities that could be exploited in DDoS attacks. Additionally, have a documented incident response plan and consider using a DDoS mitigation service from a reputable provider.

Data Breaches

Whether caused by hacking, human error, or system glitches, data breaches expose sensitive business information to malicious actors. With 83% of organizations having experienced more than one data breach, the threat of losing proprietary data or failing compliance is very real. 

Similar to what has already been mentioned, you will want to work with reputable service providers to place protective barriers and give training to employees to avoid major data breaches (especially if you have personal, client information on hand). 

Insider Threats

Not all threats come from external actors. Disgruntled employees, contractors with excessive access privileges, or those succumbing to external persuasion can sabotage ops from the inside. A shocking 34% of data breaches involved internal actors in 2021.

Disgruntled employees who also haven’t had correct access to system resources revoked could also post openly on managed social media accounts and damage a brand’s well-established reputation. Organizations would do well to provide appropriate access where needed but maintain control over systems and accounts so that they can be adjusted as needed. 

Social Engineering Attacks

Hackers use psychology and manipulation to trick people into divulging sensitive info or taking compromising actions. From phishing to pretexting to baiting, 98% of cyber attacks rely on social engineering as an attack vector.

Again, organizations should be training employees on how to recognize over-engineered and emotional messages asking specifically for information or taking major actions that could be damaging. They should also be trained on submitting those types of messages or calls to a compliance hotline for a key leader to review. 

Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs)

APTs are prolonged, targeted attacks by hostile groups to gain ongoing access to a system while remaining undetected. They are difficult to detect and often motivated by theft of proprietary data or cyber espionage.

In addition to protecting your systems and accounts, situations like this really should involve the authorities and above as they would have the ability and resources to address more advanced threats like this. 

Unpatched Software Vulnerabilities

Every piece of software has flaws, and unpatched systems with known vulnerabilities give hackers an easy way in. It takes organizations over 6 months on average to deploy security patches, leaving ample time to be exploited.

In this case, we would always recommend that organizations vet chosen software before buying as it could end up costing them more in the long run. 

So what can you do to mitigate these risks?

First and foremost, having a strong cybersecurity strategy with up-to-date tools, processes, and employee training is critical. Implement firewalls, antivirus software, DDoS mitigation services, encryption, multi-factor authentication, and access controls. Continuously monitor for threats and quickly patch any vulnerabilities.

But just as importantly, build a culture of security awareness across your organization. Provide ongoing training to educate employees on threats like phishing, social engineering, and data handling best practices. Encourage them to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity immediately.

The threats are out there, but by being proactive and implementing robust security measures, you can minimize online risks and focus on running your business with peace of mind. Why, again, does it matter for Digital Marketing Agencies to care about these threats? Because they are threats to how end-users see your brand and can negatively impact your online presence, both in social media and beyond.