Cybersecurity Myth: “We’re Too Small to Be a Target”

If you run a small business, chances are you’ve heard—or maybe even said—something like: “We’re just a small team. No one’s going to bother hacking us.”

It’s an easy assumption to make. After all, why would cybercriminals waste their time on a business with only 5 or 10 staff? Unfortunately, that assumption can lead to real trouble. The truth is: small businesses are attacked all the time, and often because they’re small.

Here’s why that myth is so risky—and what you should know.

Myth 1: “We’re too small to be hacked.”

The truth: Most cyberattacks aren’t personal. Hackers use automated tools to scan for vulnerabilities anywhere they can find them. If your systems are open—or just under-protected—you can be targeted, no matter how small your company is.

In fact, nearly 43% of all cyberattacks are aimed at small businesses [1].

Myth 2: “We don’t have anything valuable to steal.”

The truth: You probably have more valuable information than you realize.

Think about it—customer emails, internal documents, logins, maybe even supplier access or credit card details. Even if it doesn’t seem sensitive, hackers can use it for phishing, blackmail, or as a stepping stone to attack other businesses in your supply chain.

In 2025, 82% of ransomware attacks were against small and mid-sized businesses, and over a third of victims had fewer than 100 employees [3].

Myth 3: “Even if we were attacked, it wouldn’t be a big deal.”

The truth: For a small business, a cyberattack can be a major crisis.

If you lost access to your systems for a few days—or permanently lost your data—how long could you keep running? Studies show that 60% of small businesses close within six months of a serious breach [4].

Even attacks that cost under $10,000 have forced companies to shut down [5].

Myth 4: “We already have antivirus software, so we’re protected.”

The truth: Antivirus is important—but it’s just one layer.

Today’s threats are more complex than ever, and attackers don’t rely on viruses alone. They use phishing emails, fake login pages, social engineering, stolen passwords, and other methods that antivirus can’t stop on its own.

Over half of small businesses still don’t have a cybersecurity plan in place [6]. Many don’t even use multi-factor authentication, which could prevent most phishing-based breaches.

So What Can You Do?

The good news is—you don’t need a corporate budget to protect your business. A few essential steps can make a big difference:

• Update your software regularly (including routers and firewalls)
• Use strong passwords and enable multi-factor authentication (MFA)
• Back up your data securely—and test your backups
• Train your team on how to spot phishing and suspicious activity
• Work with an IT provider who understands small business security

Final Thoughts

Size doesn’t protect you—preparation does. If you’re running a small business, you’re not invisible to cybercriminals. But you’re also not helpless.

Whether you’re just starting to look at security or need to improve your current setup, we’re here to help. At Computer Services Ltd., we specialize in helping small businesses get the right protections in place—without unnecessary complexity.

Let’s talk before a hacker forces your hand.

References

1. StrongDM: Small Business Cybersecurity Statistics
2. AdvisorSmith: Cybersecurity Statistics for Small Businesses
3. The Small Business Blog: Cybersecurity Statistics 2025
4. Cybersecurity Ventures: 60% of SMBs close after being hacked
5. CyberNews: Small Business Cybersecurity Survival
6. StationX: Cyber Attacks on Small Businesses Statistics