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In today’s digital landscape, small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) are increasingly targeted by cyberattacks. Contrary to common belief, cybercriminals don't just focus on large enterprises—SMBs are often seen as easier targets due to fewer cybersecurity defences. One of the most critical challenges is recognizing when your business has been breached. Identifying a security breach early can significantly reduce damage, data loss, and recovery time. In this blog post, we’ll walk through four warning signs that indicate your business may have been compromised and what actions you should take.
If employees or users suddenly have access to files and folders they shouldn’t, it’s a red flag. Cybercriminals often escalate privileges to gain unauthorized access to sensitive information.
Example: Imagine you discover that a junior staff member has access to financial records or HR files they should never be able to view. This could be an indication that your system has been compromised and user credentials have been stolen or abused.
What to Do:
• Regularly review access logs to identify unauthorized access.
• Enforce role-based access controls (RBAC) and ensure employees only have access to files necessary for their work.
• Audit permissions periodically to detect any changes.
A sudden and unexplained slowdown of your systems could indicate the presence of malware. Attackers often infect systems with ransomware or other malicious software, which can consume a significant amount of processing power.
Example: If your computers, servers, or applications suddenly become sluggish or crash frequently, it may be due to malicious programs running in the background, such as cryptojacking malware, which uses your system's resources to mine cryptocurrency for the attacker.
What to Do:
• Monitor system performance using endpoint detection tools to identify any processes consuming excessive resources.
• Run malware scans immediately if you notice significant slowdowns.
Cybercriminals often use stolen credentials to access business systems from unfamiliar locations. Monitoring login activity from unusual or unexpected geographic locations is critical for early breach detection.
Example: If you’re a business based in Lagos and notice login attempts from Russia or China at odd hours, this could signal that an attacker is trying to access your systems with compromised credentials.
What to Do:
• Implement multi-factor authentication (MFA) to add an extra layer of security.
• Use geo-blocking to prevent access from regions where you don’t conduct business.
• Regularly check login logs for attempts from suspicious locations.
Malware often comes disguised as legitimate software, and cybercriminals may install unauthorized programs on your systems to maintain persistent access or execute attacks. If you notice unfamiliar software on your machines, it could be a sign of a breach.
Example: If you find an unknown program running on your server that you didn’t install, such as a remote desktop application, this could be a backdoor tool used by hackers to maintain control over your systems.
What to Do:
• Remove any unauthorized software immediately and investigate how it was installed.
• Regularly review installed applications and services across all endpoints.
• Implement strict policies around software installation and require administrative approval for new programs.
Detecting a security breach in your business is critical to mitigating damage and preventing further attacks. By staying vigilant and recognizing the early warning signs—such as unusual network activity, unexplained file access, system slowdowns, and unauthorized logins—you can respond quickly and effectively.
At Bitscape Technologies, we specialise in helping organisations with their cybersecurity posture and defend against threats. Our team of experts can provide tailored solutions and guidance to enhance your security defences and safeguard your business from the rising threat of ransomware. Contact us today for a free Cybersecurity Assessment of your environment at info@bitscapetech.com.