Cyberattacks are on the rise, and that includes small businesses. Here’s what to know

By: Mae Anderson, The Associated Press Posted: Last Modified:

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NEW YORK (AP) — Cyberattacks on businesses are rising, including small businesses. It's a troubling trend because a breach can be very costly and time consuming if owners don't have a plan to deal with one.

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This article was published 23/04/2024 (873 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

NEW YORK (AP) — Cyberattacks on businesses are rising, including small businesses. It’s a troubling trend because a breach can be very costly and time consuming if owners don’t have a plan to deal with one.

According to the Verizon 2023 Data Breach Investigations Report, the median cost per ransomware attack — which features a type of malicious software designed to block access to a computer system until a sum of money is paid — more than doubled over the past two years to $26,000.

That’s partly because there has been a dramatic increase in ransomware attacks, which represent 24% of all breaches.

FILE - A person works on a laptop in North Andover, Mass., on June 19, 2017. Cyberattacks on businesses are rising, including small businesses. It’s a troubling trend that can be very costly and time consuming if owners don’t have a plan to deal with them. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola, File)
FILE - A person works on a laptop in North Andover, Mass., on June 19, 2017. Cyberattacks on businesses are rising, including small businesses. It’s a troubling trend that can be very costly and time consuming if owners don’t have a plan to deal with them. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola, File)

Small businesses should first have a plan in place to prevent cyberattacks. The human element is the cause of 74% of breaches, so owners should make sure all of their employees use safeguards such as two-factor identification to make it harder to be hacked. Requiring employees to regularly change their passwords can also help.

If your business has been breached, it’s best to work with a cybersecurity executive within your company or a trusted third party to assess what happened and the damage done. Trying to contain it without having the right technical knowledge can just make things worse.

It’s also important to let the authorities know what happened. Attacks must be reported to federal authorities within 72 hours after a company is reasonably sure one has occurred.

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FILE - A person works on a laptop in North Andover, Mass., on June 19, 2017. Cyberattacks on businesses are rising, including small businesses. It’s a troubling trend that can be very costly and time consuming if owners don’t have a plan to deal with them. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola, File)

Cyberattacks are on the rise, and that includes small businesses. Here’s what to know

Mae Anderson, The Associated Press 2 minute read Preview

Cyberattacks are on the rise, and that includes small businesses. Here’s what to know

Mae Anderson, The Associated Press 2 minute read Tuesday, Apr. 23, 2024

NEW YORK (AP) — Cyberattacks on businesses are rising, including small businesses. It's a troubling trend because a breach can be very costly and time consuming if owners don't have a plan to deal with one.

According to the Verizon 2023 Data Breach Investigations Report, the median cost per ransomware attack — which features a type of malicious software designed to block access to a computer system until a sum of money is paid — more than doubled over the past two years to $26,000.

That's partly because there has been a dramatic increase in ransomware attacks, which represent 24% of all breaches.

Small businesses should first have a plan in place to prevent cyberattacks. The human element is the cause of 74% of breaches, so owners should make sure all of their employees use safeguards such as two-factor identification to make it harder to be hacked. Requiring employees to regularly change their passwords can also help.

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Tuesday, Apr. 23, 2024

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RUTH BONNEVILLE / FREE PRESS Terri Settle, owner of Terri’s Trinkets and Toys, says the thieves stole thousands of dollars worth of Pokemon cards along with other higher-end items this week.

Pokemon thieves clear out collectibles shop

Scott Billeck 5 minute read Preview

Pokemon thieves clear out collectibles shop

Scott Billeck 5 minute read Yesterday at 4:47 PM CDT

Terri Settle loved watching children walk into her collectibles shop to hunt for their favourite Pokemon cards.

After the latest break in stripped her shelves of much of the inventory, she’s not sure she’ll get to see it again.

Thieves broke into Terri’s Trinkets and Toys on Tuesday evening, punching through a grate and then the store’s bathroom wall to reach the storefront.

They made off with about $6,000 worth of merchandise, including all of the store’s Pokemon cards — about 7,000 of them — along with toys, Lego, jewelry, video games, a debit machine and personal laptop. They even took her vacuum cleaner.

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Yesterday at 4:47 PM CDT

‘Serious incident’ shuts down stretch on Broadway

1 minute read Updated: Yesterday at 6:09 PM CDT

Winnipeg police are investigating a "serious incident" that left people injured following a police pursuit near Broadway and Young Street Friday afternoon.

Police said the incident has ended, but the scene remains secured as officers investigate. No details about the number or severity of injuries were immediately released.

Broadway is closed between Furby and Young streets until further notice. Motorists are being asked to avoid the area and use alternate routes.

Police said more information will be released as it becomes available.

MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS Broadway was closed Friday between Furby and Young streets until further notice.

Injuries reported after police pursuit on Broadway

Free Press staff 2 minute read Preview

Injuries reported after police pursuit on Broadway

Free Press staff 2 minute read Updated: Yesterday at 6:12 PM CDT

Winnipeg police are investigating a “serious incident” in which people were injured following a police pursuit near Broadway and Young Street Friday afternoon.

Police said the scene would remain secured as officers investigate. No details about the number or severity of injuries were released.

Broadway was closed between Furby and Young streets until further notice and motorists were asked to avoid the area.

Shaelyn Desmarais McLeod, whose car sustained minor damage, said she witnessed the end of the police pursuit.

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Updated: Yesterday at 6:12 PM CDT

City rapped for taking five days to remove animal carcass

Morgan Modjeski 2 minute read Thursday, Sep. 10, 2026

A Winnipeg resident said she’s upset it took the city five days to retrieve a dead fawn from her yard after she reported it to 311.

Amy Gelhorn said she and her family noticed the animal carcass in her garden on Saturday. She called 311 and was told it would be picked up after the long weekend.

“It was removed this afternoon,” the north River Heights resident said Thursday. “So it took six days to remove it and we had to basically phone every day.”

She said neighbours on both sides of her house told her they saw the animal acting strangely on Friday and reported their concerns to 311. It’s believed the animal died overnight. As the days dragged on, the body continued to rot.