While we are all familiar with the rash of data breaches at major companies such as Stellantis, TransUnion, Allianz Life, Workday, Pandora, Cisco, Chanel, Dior, Louis Vuitton, Tiffany, Farmers Insurance and Qantas. a recent study by the tech company Proton found that small businesses are primary targets of hackers.  Companies with between 10 and 249 employees have accounted for 48% of data breaches so far in 2025 and companies with fewer than ten workers account for 23% of the data breaches this year.  It is not surprising that small companies are largely targeted by hackers because these small companies have much sensitive data on their customers, but have smaller budgets to deal with cybersecurity and generally use fewer data protection resources.

So how do you protect yourself?

TIPS

As always it is important to use strong unique passwords and dual factor authentication for all of your online accounts.  In addition, it is important to limit the personal information you provide to such companies as much as possible. Most importantly, while many small companies may ask for your Social Security number for their records, they do not need that information and you should not provide it unless it is absolutely necessary which will be rare indeed.  Compromised Social Security numbers can readily lead to identity theft.

You should also ask any company with which you do business about their protocols and policies for protecting customer data and securing payment gateways.  If the answers are not satisfactory, you should consider not doing business with them.

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