The most common cyberattacks in business

Phishing, ransomware, DDoS... Cyberattacks continue to increase. But what are the most common cyberattacks, and how can you effectively protect yourself against them? We explain everything in this clear, jargon-free article, with concrete examples.

Why are companies targeted by cyberattacks?

Whether you're a startup, an SME, or a large organization, you're a target. Why? Because businesses, regardless of their sector, handle sensitive data , use numerous IT systems , and collaborate with a variety of users (employees, partners, and service providers).

Furthermore, digital transformation accelerates exposure to risks: remote working, web applications, SaaS tools, etc. This increases the number of entry points for cybercriminals .

The most frequent cyberattacks in business

There are several types of cyberattacks. Here are the most common ones and how they work.

Phishing and its variants

It's a hacker's favorite entry point . An email that appears to come from a colleague or customer service representative, a booby-trapped attachment, a link to a fake login page... and the user is fooled.

👉 Scenario: An employee receives an “urgent” email to wipe his Microsoft 365 password. He clicks, enters his credentials… and gives the hacker the keys to the company.

Ransomware

These programs lock your data and demand a ransom to unlock it. They often spread via a malicious email attachment or an unpatched vulnerability.

In 2023, more than 70% of ransomware attacks targeted French companies. The most dangerous part? Once affected, it's often too late .

Malware and viruses

These programs can spy on, steal, or destroy information. Some remain invisible for months , collecting confidential data without anyone noticing.

Distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks

The idea here: saturate your servers with millions of requests to crash your site or services. This is common among e-commerce sites, SaaS platforms, and public services.

Social engineering attacks

No need for technology: here, humans are the flaw. Fraudulent calls, identity theft, psychological manipulation... The attacker exploits trust or panic.

👉 Scenario: An IT technician calls to ask a colleague for a password. The latter, believing he's doing the right thing, passes it on.

Internal threats

Sometimes the danger comes from within: a disgruntled employee, an ill-informed intern, or simply human error.

How to protect your business against cyberattacks?

In the face of these threats, the good news is that there are simple and accessible solutions to protect yourself.

Employee awareness and training

This is the first line of defense . Your employees must know how to recognize a phishing attempt , avoid weak passwords, and report suspicious behavior.

💡 A short training session or regular reminders can reduce the risks by more than 70%.

Implementation of IT security policies

Define clear rules : access management, use of personal devices, strong authentication, etc.

Use of security software and firewalls

Antivirus, firewalls, monitoring tools, intrusion detection systems… So many essential tools to protect your systems and data.

Regular updating of systems and software

Security vulnerabilities are often fixed by updates... provided they're applied. Don't delay them!

Data Backup and Recovery

Even with all the precautions in the world, zero risk doesn't exist. Regularly backing up your data will allow you to quickly resume your business in the event of an attack.

Need expert support? Discover managed cybersecurity with rzilient

For companies that want to go further without mobilizing an internal IT team, rzilient offers a managed cybersecurity solution .

Concretely, this means that we monitor, secure and update your IT system on a daily basis , with solutions adapted to your structure. From monitoring to incident management, including security audits, you are continuously protected .

A turnkey solution, designed for SMEs, that saves you time… and peace of mind.

In a nutshell

Cyberattacks are numerous, but they don't have to paralyze your business. With the right reflexes, the right tools, and a little vigilance, you can significantly limit the risks .

What if you don't know where to start? At rzilient , we support you with tailor-made solutions to protect your IT system, your data, and your teams.

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