Why hackers are increasingly targeting small businesses – and what you can do about it

Almost half of small businesses were targeted by hackers last year. David Prosser explains what is behind the cyber attacks.

Stores
A hacking attack forced The Works to close some stores.
(Image credit: © Alamy)

Cyberattacks can strike almost any company. Books and crafts retailer The Works had to close some stores temporarily this week after hackers got into its systems.

In February, deliveries of crisps and nuts were disrupted when KP Snacks was hit by a ransomware attack. Smaller businesses certainly aren’t immune. The government’s latest annual Cyber Security Breaches Survey reports that 48% of small businesses have identified a cyberattack over the 12 months. Worse still, 31% say they are now being attacked at least once a week.

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David Prosser
Business Columnist

David Prosser is a regular MoneyWeek columnist, writing on small business and entrepreneurship, as well as pensions and other forms of tax-efficient savings and investments. David has been a financial journalist for almost 30 years, specialising initially in personal finance, and then in broader business coverage. He has worked for national newspaper groups including The Financial Times, The Guardian and Observer, Express Newspapers and, most recently, The Independent, where he served for more than three years as business editor.