Small businesses are three times more likely to be targeted by cybercriminals than large businesses

If you think hackers are only after the social media accounts of large companies, think again. Small businesses are three times more likely to be targeted by cybercriminals than larger companies. Your data, social media followers, and company reputation are valuable to con artists, no matter the size of your business. Scammers know that a smaller company is less likely to have cybersecurity training and know social media best practices. This makes them an easier target.

What can you do to protect your business’s social media accounts? BBB recommends the following tips for your business’ social media accounts

• Understand hackers’ motives and tactics. Hackers can use your social media account for a variety of nefarious reasons. They may be planning to run malicious ads using your stored credit card information, hoping your followers will pay attention since they come from a trusted source. Scammers can also target your followers via direct messages with phishing attacks. Or they may be after your sensitive personal or business Sometimes, they might try to steal your sales revenue or even sell your account on the black market. Regardless of the motive, scammers can only hack your account if they get a hold of your login and password information. To steal that, they may target you or one of your employees with a phishing or malware attack, so protecting that information is critical.

• Create a social media policy. Write a social media policy with clear guidelines and requirements for your brand and employees. What should it cover? It can contain rules about brand voice and post guidelines, but it should also clarify your employees’ responsibilities. Who is responsible for crafting social media posts? Who has access to the passwords and login information? What devices can be used to log in to your accounts? These questions should be answered in your policy. You should also include a plan of action if your company does experience a security crisis. How will you handle a hacked account? Laying out a step-by-step plan ahead of time can minimize the damage caused by an attack.
• • Recognize the signs of a hacked account. If you see unfamiliar posts on your account, you didn’t authorize; someone has gained access to your account. You may also get messages from friends saying they received a strange message or email from And if your data has been compromised in a data breach or malware attack, or if a device with stored login information was stolen, hacking becomes more likely.

   

  • Use strong passwords. Avoid easy passwords. Use long passwords with numbers, letters (upper and lower case), and Never use the same password twice. And if that sounds like a lot to manage, consider using a trusted password manager.

   

  • Set up two-factor authentication. Multifactor authentication (MFA) makes it harder for cybercriminals to access your account, even if they’ve gotten a hold of your Setting it up for your business accounts is a must.

   

  • Keep antivirus software up to date. Protect your computers and mobile devices from malware attacks by installing antivirus software and running regular scans.

   

  • Be careful with third-party apps. Instagram warns users that they can gain complete access to their account if they give their login information to a third-party app by handing over their password and username or even a login The same is true for any social media network. If you use a third-party app, like a social media scheduler, ensure it’s from a reputable source.

   

  • Check your accounts regularly for suspicious Keep an eye on your social media accounts. Check in daily, if possible, to ensure your account hasn’t been compromised.

   

  • Train your Give your employees regular training to help them spot a phishing attack before it’s too late. Review your social media policy and any up and latest threats on social with them. Keeping your team alert can go a long way toward protecting your accounts.

Get BBB accredited

The Better Business Bureau is an excellent resource for small businesses. Becoming Accredited with BBB allows you to list your business on BBB’s website, which is a great way to build your brand’s reputation and attract new customers. It also allows you to take advantage of the BBB’s valuable resources and tools to help you run your business in a competitive market.

For additional tips and resources, visit BBB.org to help keep your small business thriving. Contact your Better Business Bureau by calling 216-241-7678 or emailing info@cleveland.bbb.org. Interested in becoming BBB Accredited? Find out how you can apply for BBB Accreditation.

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