Cybersecurity is a hot topic these days, and for good reason. With the ever-increasing reliance on technology, businesses and individuals are at an increased risk of cyberattacks.

As there are new breaches, hacks, and attacks daily, inadequate cybersecurity preparedness could result in a catastrophic outcome.

So, how do you stay ahead of things?  First – by knowing what’s real and what’s misinformation. Unfortunately, there are a few common misunderstandings about cybersecurity that can lead to people taking unnecessary risks. Let’s clear these myths today.

10 Common Cybersecurity Myths

1. Only big businesses are targeted by hackers. 

This is simply not true. Hackers will target anyone, regardless of their size or industry. In fact, small businesses are often targeted because they are seen as being less secure than larger businesses. While SMBs may not be explicitly targeted, often they are victims of spray-and-pray attacks.

2. My antivirus software is enough to protect me. 

Antivirus software is an important part of cybersecurity, but it is not enough on its own. You also need to practice good security habits, such as using strong passwords, being careful about what links you click on, and keeping your software up to date.

3. I’m not important enough to be hacked. 

This is a dangerous myth. When you sign the Terms and Conditions of Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Snapchat, TikTok, you’re signing away your right to privacy, which lets the apps build a detailed demographic profile of you.

Everyone is at risk of being hacked, regardless of their importance or social status. Hackers are always looking for new targets, and they don’t care who you are. For mature cybersecurity, the organization should adopt a comprehensive cybersecurity plan that will have everything from the incident response team, plan to insider threat detection and employee training and awareness.

4. I’ll know if I’m being hacked. 

Not necessarily. Hackers are becoming more sophisticated and can hide their tracks. It’s possible that you could be hacked without even realizing it.

5. I can’t do anything to prevent a Cyberattack. 

This is not true. There are several things you can do to protect yourself from cyberattacks, such as practicing good security habits, using a firewall, and backing up your data.

6. Cybersecurity is too expensive. 

Cybersecurity doesn’t have to be too expensive. There are several low-cost security measures you can take to protect yourself. Also, the expense of not enforcing any security extents is higher.

According to IBM’s ‘Cost of a Data Breach Report’ showed that in 2022, the global average cost of a data breach was $4.35M USD (approx. $6.5M AUD).

7. My employees are too smart to be tricked by hackers. 

This is a common misconception. Even the smartest people can be tricked by hackers. That’s why it’s important to train your employees on how to spot and avoid phishing scams and other cyberattacks.

8. Once I’ve been hacked, there’s nothing I can do 

Another myth. There are a several things you can do to recover from a cyberattack, such as changing your passwords, scanning your computer for malware, and reporting the attack to the authorities.

9. Cybersecurity is someone else’s problem

This is a dangerous attitude. Cybersecurity is everyone’s problem. We all need to do our part to protect ourselves and our businesses from cyberattacks. The culture change needed to address this in a real and meaningful way comes from leadership while real cybersecurity preparedness is the responsibility of every employee.

10. I’ll cross that bridge when I come to it

This is a risky approach to cybersecurity. It’s better to be proactive and take steps to protect yourself now, rather than waiting until it’s too late.

By understanding and debunking these common cybersecurity myths, you can help to protect yourself and your business from cyberattacks.

Here are some additional tips for improving your cybersecurity:

• Use strong passwords and don’t reuse them across different websites and services.
• Be careful about what links you click on, especially in emails and social media messages.
• Keep your software up to date, including your operating system, web browser, and antivirus software.
• Back up your data regularly.
• Train your employees on how to spot and avoid phishing scams and other cyberattacks.
• Report any suspicious activity to the authorities.