What Types of Businesses Do Hackers Target?

    Hackers are lurking in every corner and targeting businesses of all shapes and sizes. Though you may think your business is too small to be a target, hackers don’t discriminate—if there’s information to be had, they’ll go after it.

    That said, some types of businesses are more susceptible to attack than others. Here are some of the most common types of businesses that hackers target:

    E-commerce Businesses

    E-commerce businesses are businesses that conduct transactions online. This can include anything from selling products or services to taking payments or storing customer data. Because these businesses conduct so much of their business online, they’re prime targets for hackers.

    If a hacker is able to gain access to an e-commerce business’s website, they can wreak havoc. Hackers can use this information to commit identity theft or fraud, or sell it on the black market.

    Financial Institutions

    Financial institutions are another common target for hackers. This is because they deal with large amounts of money and sensitive customer information. Hackers who gain access to this information can commit fraud or sell it on the black market for a profit. They can also receive large payouts from ransomware attacks.

    Government Agencies

    Government agencies such as the Department of Defense, the IRS, and the FBI are also common targets for hackers. This is because they often have sensitive information that can be used to blackmail individuals or gain intelligence on rival nations.

    In addition, government agencies are often slow to adopt new technologies, which makes them more vulnerable to attack. Hackers know that these agencies are behind the curve, so they target them in hopes of exploiting their weaknesses.

    They are targeted because they often deal with sensitive information that can be used to commit identity theft or fraud. Additionally, government agencies are often targeted by hackers who want to make a political statement.

    Healthcare Organizations

    Healthcare organizations are a prime target for hackers because they deal with sensitive patient information on a daily basis. Hackers who gain access to this information will be in control of extremely confidential information. They can commit identity theft with it or sell this information.

    Healthcare organizations experience ransomware attacks more frequently than any other type of business. This is because hackers know that these organizations will pay large sums of money to regain access to their systems.

    Educational Institutions

    Educational institutions often deal with sensitive student information, such as Social Security numbers and financial aid information. Extremely confidential information can be found here and kids can be victims of identity theft yet not even know it for years to come. This is dangerous due to the fact that a child’s Social Security number can be used to open up lines of credit, obtain driver’s licenses, and much more.

    In addition, many educational institutions are behind the curve when it comes to technology. This makes them more vulnerable to attack from hackers who know how to exploit these weaknesses.

    Stay Protected

    Now that you know which types of businesses are most susceptible to attack, it’s time to take action to protect your own business. You can train your employees, put password policies in place, hire a security firm, and more.

    Don’t become a victim, take action today to protect your business from hackers.