Don’t think your business is a target? Think again • Blisstech Solutions

Don’t think your business is a target? Think again

You might think that cybercriminals are only interested in large companies or those with huge financial assets. After all, that’s where the big bucks are, right?

Think again.

Recent reports have shown that cybercriminals are casting their nets wide, targeting businesses of all sizes, from independent shops to global enterprises. And they’re doing it with the help of something called “botnets.”

You may have heard about the rise of malicious botnets, and you’re probably wondering, “What on earth is a botnet, and why should I care?” Botnets are the secret weapons of cybercriminals. They’re armies of compromised devices, all under the control of a single, malicious puppeteer. These can be anything from your computer to your smart fridge. Yes, even your fridge can be turned into a cyber weapon.

A new report observed “massive spikes” in the activity of these botnets, with over a million devices involved in malicious activities at one point. To put it into perspective, that’s a hundred times the usual levels of botnet activity.

Usually, there are around 10,000 devices doing naughty stuff each day, with 20,000 being the highest number seen by researchers. But in December 2023, things got crazy. The number shot up to 35,144, and two weeks later, it rose even further to 43,194. That’s a lot of compromised devices.

And it didn’t stop there; the researchers saw the biggest spike yet, hitting a whopping 143,957 distinct devices being used at the same time. In fact, on the 5th and 6th of January, there were spikes of more than a million devices!

Why are they doing this? These botnets are being used to scan the internet, searching for weaknesses in websites, servers, and even email systems.

Think of the internet as a fortress with many doors and windows. These cybercriminals are looking for unlocked doors and open windows to sneak in. They focus on specific “ports” that serve as entry points.

What can you do to protect yourself from these cyber threats?

It’s all about strengthening those doors and windows. Here are a few simple steps:

Get in touch if we can help you keep your business better protected.

More Content

Man with magnifying glass

Cyber Essentials: A Guide to CE and its Benefits

Many people have heard of Cyber Essentials (CE), but do you know what it is and what benefits it can bring to your business? This article will discuss what cyber essentials is and how it can help your business and the role that a Cyber Essentials assessor plays in...
Microsoft’s browser takes back the Edge with streamlined settings

Microsoft’s browser takes the Edge with streamlined settings

Trying to find your way through the Settings menu in Microsoft Edge might leave you overwhelmed but a new update is about to make it easier. Here we tell you how.

Start it on your phone… finish it on your PC?

Start it on your phone… finish it on your PC with “Hand Off”

If you work on your phone while you’re on the move, it can be a hassle to find the right file once you’re back at your PC. Here we tell you about a cool new feature coming to Windows 11 that will help.

Why now is a great time to start your own business

"I can accept failure, but I can't accept not trying." - Michael Jordan We are living in unprecedented times.  People are being prevented from leaving their homes and the average worker has been sent to work from home, put on reduced hours, or worse.  It is...
How to cheat (the Blue Screen of) Death

The Blue Screen of Death and how to avoid it

The dreaded Blue Screen of Death makes you panic about what happened, how much work you’ve lost, and how long it’ll take to fix. But a lot of the time it’s avoidable… We’ll tell you how.

Laptop and stethoscope

Get a FREE IT RISC Assessment (and that’s not a typo!)

Most small businesses don't have the time or resources to perform in-depth IT assessments on their own. This can be a major problem, as failing to keep your technology up to date can lead to reliability and security issues down the road. Therefore, Blisstech Solutions...
This tiny tweak to Teams will make meetings smoother

This tiny tweak to Teams will make meetings smoother

Sick of saying “next slide please” in your Teams meetings? Microsoft has a small but powerful new feature that will put an end to that. Find out more here…

Why all businesses should adopt MFA now

Years ago, Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) used to be called 2FA, or Two Factor Authentication.  This was made up of: Something you have, like a device that can generate a one-time password (OTP). Something you know, like a password. MFA has extended things meaning...

What to do when disaster strikes: Creating an Incident Response Plan

Your business has firewalls, the latest security software, multi-factor authentication, and, of course, uncrackable passwords. You may even have Cyber Essentials—high five. But… It’s still not enough to protect you from 100% of cyber attacks. Completely watertight...
Windows 11 uptake is at an all-time high – what are you waiting for?

Windows 11 uptake is at an all-time high – what are you waiting for?

If you’re still attached to Windows 10, now’s the right time to upgrade. Here’s why…

Share This
Contact
Love Lane
Cleobury Mortimer
Shropshire DY14 8PE

01299 382 321
[email protected]
Copyright © 2024 Blisstech Solution Ltd
Registered No: 08125391 VAT No : 307 5490 05