Tag: network security

Hacking a big danger for small business

OCTOBER 12, 2014    LAST UPDATED: SUNDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2014, 1:21 AM
BY JOYCE M. ROSENBERG
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
THE RECORD

NEW YORK — It’s not just big businesses like JPMorgan Chase, Target and Home Depot that get hacked. Small companies suffer from intrusions into their computer systems, too.

The costs associated with computer and website attacks can run well into the thousands and even millions of dollars for a small company. Many small businesses have been attacked — 44 percent, according to a 2013 survey by the National Small Business Association, an advocacy group. Those companies had costs averaging $8,700.

JPMorgan Chase said the attack on its computer servers during the summer compromised customer information from about 76 million households and 7 million small businesses.

Target Corp., Michaels Stores Inc. and Neiman Marcus also have reported breaches of their computer systems in the past year, as did Home Depot Inc., whose customers include small contracting companies.

Typically, businesses must have a computer expert find the source of the attack, and systems have to be purged of harmful software like viruses. When websites are shut down, revenue can be lost.

– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/news/business/small-business/hacking-hurts-little-firms-too-1.1107551#sthash.VSIhemP3.dpuf