We have made it to the middle of Cybersecurity Awareness Month, which means that there is no better time than the present to further develop your team’s security skills and awareness. With hackers hiding behind the dark corners of the Internet – and there are many dark corners – the ability to identify the telltale signs that your business may have been hacked can save you ample amounts of time and money.
Oftentimes hackers can remain undetected in company systems, patiently waiting until the perfect moment to strike. But this does not mean there is nothing you can do. In fact, there are many warning signs you can look out for to determine if a hacker has breached your network, which if discovered you can address to protect your business and operations. So, what are these important signs that your business may have been compromised?
Signs to Look Out For
Changes in Files
Many companies around the nation use collaboration-focused software with the ability to share documents and files. If your company uses these tools, like Microsoft 365 or Google Docs, it is essential to stay vigilant about any unexpected changes to important documents. Sometimes, it can be difficult to distinguish between legitimate revisions and unauthorized edits made by an unwelcome third party. If you notice any unusual activity—such as unexpected name changes or mass deletions of files—it could indicate a breach in your network. If foul play is suspected, it is crucial to act quickly by changing your passwords, and potentially consulting with a cybersecurity expert.
Unusual Financial Activity
It should not come as a surprise that many hackers are motivated by financial gain, which indicates that you should be keeping a close eye on your company’s financial statements. Review transactions regularly to spot any unexplained withdrawals or payments. If your team cannot account for these anomalies, there is a chance that hackers have gained access to your accounts and are siphoning funds. To mitigate the damage, activate transaction alerts if possible and contact your bank immediately to notify them of the irregularities.
Redirected Web Searches
Hackers don’t always need to steal money to profit from a cyberattack. Another way they can monetize their activities is by redirecting clicks on your website to another of their choosing. The hackers earn money from the increased traffic to these sites—often without the knowledge of the site’s owners. If you find your searches being redirected to unfamiliar pages, your system may have been compromised. In this case, consult your IT department or a cybersecurity professional to scan your devices and remove any unwanted software or malware.
Devices Acting Strangely
Unusual device behavior can be one of the most concerning signs that your business has been hacked. This does not refer to the occasional system lag but rather more significant issues, such as your mouse cursor moving on its own or random flickering on your screen. Before assuming the worst, consider the condition and age of the device. If these issues cannot be attributed to hardware failure, then be aware of the possibility that a hacker has infiltrated your system. To prevent further damage, disconnect the device from the Internet, power it down, and seek expert help before the malware spreads.
SWK’s Network Monitoring and Management
At SWK Technologies, we offer network monitoring and management services as part of our Managed Services Provider (MSP) agreements. SWK security services offer 24/7/365 US-exclusive security operations center services. We use a combination of both AI and human experts to provide threat correlation, detection, alerting, and response. Our Security Operations Center (SOC) and Network Operations Center (NOC) teams work tirelessly to ensure your network runs seamlessly, safeguarding it from potential threats. Whether you are dealing with financial anomalies or suspicious system behavior, we’ve got you covered, ensuring that you avoid a loss in revenue or efficiency as a result of a breached network.
Contact SWK Today
If any of the signs above sound familiar, it’s time to take action. Our team of cybersecurity experts specialize in spotting the early warning signs of a breach and can help safeguard your business from future attacks. Contact us today to discuss what cybersecurity solutions make the most sense for your business, or if you would rather directly access our resources and services you can click here. Taking a few simple steps to increase your cybersecurity knowledge could be the difference between catching a hacker in time and suffering significant damage to your business.