Cybersecurity Myths: Part 2

“Only Hackers with Advanced Skills Can Break into My Network”

The Misconception:

When people think of hackers, they often envision highly skilled computer geniuses sitting in a dark room using complex, sophisticated methods to break into computer systems. This image can lead many to believe that their network is secure simply because it would be “too difficult” for an attacker to break in. Business owners and individuals might assume that only highly valuable targets would attract such attention and that their systems are safe by default.

While some cybercriminals possess advanced technical skills, most attacks that businesses face today require little technical knowledge. The fallacy that only expert hackers are a threat creates a false sense of security, leaving many companies vulnerable to simpler, automated attacks.

The Reality:

In reality, most cyberattacks don’t require advanced skills at all. Many cybercriminals use automated tools and scripts to exploit common, well-known vulnerabilities. These tools allow attackers to carry out attacks without needing much technical knowledge. Hackers spend most of their time scanning the internet for websites or external IP’s with weak controls—like unpatched software, outdated systems, or weak passwords—and use automated scripts to exploit those weak controls with little to no manual intervention.

For example, phishing kits and ransomware-as-a-service (RaaS) platforms are inexpensive on the dark web. These kits give attackers pre-packaged tools to trick victims into handing over sensitive information, encrypting their data, and demanding payment. Because these tools are easy to use, someone with minimal technical knowledge can launch a successful attack.

Phishing, for example, is one of today’s simplest but most effective attack methods. Cybercriminals send fraudulent emails, hoping to trick people into clicking on a malicious link or providing personal information. Despite being one of the least technically advanced tactics, phishing is responsible for many cybersecurity breaches.

The Threat of Automation in Cybercrime:

Many attackers use automated scanning tools that search the internet for vulnerable systems. These tools detect common security flaws, such as:

• Unpatched software: When companies fail to update their software and systems, they allow attackers to exploit vulnerabilities that have already been fixed in later versions.
• Weak passwords: If employees use simple or repeated passwords across multiple accounts, attackers can use password-cracking tools to guess these passwords, granting them access to critical systems.
• Default or misconfigured settings: Many businesses use software and systems without configuring the security settings, leaving them vulnerable to attacks.

Once these vulnerabilities are found, attackers can use their automated scripts to exploit them. The ease of this attack means that your business doesn’t have to be a high-value target or have advanced data for cybercriminals to try to breach your system. Cybercrime has become very easy and even non-technical experts can pose a real threat to your network security.

What This Means for You:

The idea that only highly skilled hackers can infiltrate your network is misleading and dangerous. You don’t need to be a high-value target to be at risk of an attack. In fact, many cyberattacks are opportunistic—they target vulnerabilities, not the value of the data. That means every business, regardless of size or industry, is at risk if they don’t take basic IT security precautions.

What should you do?

1. Follow IT Security Best Practices: Simple, everyday practices can reduce your risk of falling victim to these attacks. These include:

• Risk Assessments: Engage a third-party IT security team to perform IT risk assessments on a regular basis. Prioritize your IT budget to mitigate IT risk.
• Vulnerability Assessments and Patch Systems Regularly: Ensure all software, hardware, and devices are up-to-date with the latest security patches.
• Enabling multi-factor authentication (MFA): MFA adds an extra layer of security, making it harder for attackers to access your accounts even if they have login credentials.
• Training employees: Since phishing and social engineering attacks target individuals within your organization, educating employees about recognizing suspicious emails or messages can significantly reduce your chances of being breached.

1. Automate Security Where Possible: Just as attackers can use automation to scale their operations, businesses can do the same to protect themselves. Automated security tools can help you detect vulnerabilities, monitor network traffic for suspicious behavior, and enforce security policies across your systems.
2. Use Security Services if Needed: If your business lacks the expertise to manage cybersecurity in-house, consider outsourcing to a virtual information security officer (VISO). VISOs can handle essential security tasks, such as monitoring, threat detection, and incident response, ensuring your business is protected even if you don’t have internal cybersecurity experts.
3. Backup Your Data: Breaches can still happen even with the best defenses. Regularly backing up your data—preferably in multiple locations, including offline backups—ensures that if an attacker manages to compromise your systems, you can restore them without paying a ransom or losing critical information.

The Takeaway:

While the media persists with the image of elite hackers breaking into complex networks, the truth is that most cybercriminals don’t need to be highly skilled to succeed. The rise of automated tools and off-the-shelf attack kits has leveled the playing field, allowing even low-skill attackers to break into vulnerable IT systems.

Understanding that many cyberattacks rely on exploiting vulnerabilities—not advanced hacking techniques—can help you better protect your business. Focus on simple, proactive measures like performing an IT risk assessment to clearly understand your risk, perform updates to all systems on a regular basis, and teach employees to defend against the most common and least sophisticated attacks. Cybersecurity doesn’t have to be complex, but ignoring these basic principles could open your network to attack.

Please let me know if you have any questions about this myth. Contact me through our website to discuss this further.