In 2026, the majority of the data breaches occur not because of sophisticated hacking, but because of the lack of proper cybersecurity practices within the organizations.

What is Cybersecurity Mistakes?

Cybersecurity errors are the incorrect activities, carelessness or ignorance in the utilization of computers, internet, or digital systems creating security holes. Such loopholes enable the hacking of systems, theft of data, malware or destruction of networks by cyber criminals.

These errors may be incurred by individual users, employees or an organization and they may not even be aware of the danger. They are normally as a result of negligence, inadequate security measures, old systems, or due to trainings.

In simple terms:
Cybersecurity errors that compromise information and systems are made when individuals fail to adhere to fundamental digital safety guidelines that include the use of passwords that are hard to crack, updating applications, or verifying email inboxes.

Why they happen:

  • Lack of knowledge about cyber threats

  • Overconfidence or negligence

  • Poor security policies

  • Human error.

What Is Managed Cybersecurity?

How to Choose the Right Managed Cybersecurity Provider

Key Things to Look For:

  • 24/7 Security Operations Center (SOC)

  • Clear SLAs and response times

  • Proven threat intelligence

  • Compliance expertise

  • Transparent reporting

  • Scalable pricing

Questions to Ask:

  • How quickly do you respond to incidents?

  • What tools and platforms do you use?

  • Do you provide compliance support?

  • Is monitoring truly 24/7?

Managed Cybersecurity Pricing (Typical)

Business Size Monthly Cost (Approx)
Small Business ₹25,000 – ₹75,000
Mid-Size Business ₹75,000 – ₹2,00,000
Enterprise Custom pricing

Costs depend on:

  • Number of endpoints

  • Cloud infrastructure size

  • Compliance requirements

  • Level of monitoring & response

The Cybersecurity Mistakes to Avoid

Cybersecurity

Talking about cybersecurity sounds like what companies do to avoid being robbed and spied on by organisations of teenage cybercriminals. Still, unfortunately, the reality is much more severe, and the truth is that I guess that at least 25% of attacks globally are carried out against users and not against companies. So believing that you don’t need protection against that threat is as naive as thinking that shrugging your shoulders in the rain won’t get you wet.

In most cases, speaking of plain antivirus is simplistic since the current concept of security is much broader. Instead, we should discuss security solutions since they integrate different tools to protect systems against computer threats.

Email

About corporate email, social engineering techniques are as old as computing, but people continue to fall into the trap of cybercriminals. Unfortunately, the reality is that it remains one of the primary attack vectors. Although cybercriminals have been improving the quality of emails to give them a more legitimate appearance and are constantly working to deceive the user. There are some signs that they continue to be false. “Spelling errors, texts that seem to routinely translate from another language, strange topics such as that you have won millions of bucks or senders with random addresses and domains.

That has nothing to do with the person who claims to be sending the message should be more than enough reasons. So that our alarms would go off”, says Josep Albors, Responsible for awareness and research at ESET Spain. In such an instance, they recommend visiting the websites of such trusted services using the browser keys by typing in their address rather than clicking on the link found in the email.

Those containing attachments deserve special attention, as some could infect with malware. It is essential to check extensions and only open those from trusted sources. Those containing attachments deserve special attention, as some could be sick with malware. It is necessary to check extensions and only open those from trusted sources. Those containing attachments deserve special attention, as some could be ill with malware. It is essential to check extensions and only open those from trusted sources.

Social Media

Today, they are one of the preferred scenarios for cybercriminals to spread threats massively cybersecurity. From ESET Spain, they recommend verifying the authenticity of the shared information and the profiles that we accept on the networks. In addition, you have to be especially careful with shortened links and messages that attract attention. Such as “check this out!”, “Change your WhatsApp colour” or “transfer the new emojis. Caution with trending topics is usually used as a hook to attract victims on Facebook and Twitter.

Passwords

passwords are predictable, and if they use in more than one online service, a cybercriminal could access all of a user’s accounts or services with minimal effort. Cybercriminals can use brute force to try to guess predictable password combinations or buy stolen and leaked

password bases. Despite the recommendations of cybersecurity companies such as ESET, every year, “123456”, “password,” or “qwerty” are still some of the most used passwords, and many users still do not realise that a weak password represents a gateway accessible to cybercriminals. According to Forrester, 80% of attacks tell an invalid password guessed or stolen.

Recommendations to Better Manage Passwords

  • Require the use of complex passwords that incorporate special characters and numbers.
  • Enable double factor authentication ( 2-Factor Authentication – 2FA ) that combines with complex passwords to strengthen network access protection.
  • The use of applications on smartphones or computers can save the passwords, preventing them from being written on a post-it or notepad.
  • Do not use the same password in different accounts and applications. If a password is compromise, the malicious actor will access only one system or application.

Updates

Ignoring operating system updates is another of the most frequent mistakes. There are always software updates for applications, operating systems, or security solutions, whether on a desktop, laptop, or mobile. According to ESET, pop-ups are annoying, contributing to many users not understanding the importance of always having the latest version available. However, by not updating them, devices and software are left vulnerable to attacks that take advantage of security holes not protective. So that it is not a tedious task, the cybersecurity company recommends configuring automatic updates from trusted providers. ”

Attitudes

Beyond the purely technological, ESET Spain wants to put the accent on awareness. “Lack of cybersecurity awareness is possibly the biggest security issue today and has been for decades. CEOs believe that their company will not target, and users believe that their information is not valuable enough to anyone. However, believing that you will not suffer any security incident is a mistake”, says Albors.

Avoiding public Wi-Fi networks and using strong and unique passwords to achieve good levels of security is not a hard job then. However, it does need a change in attitude. Combining these best practices with regular software updates, an anti-malware solution, VPN networks, and password managers. Messaging apps that use encryption will be additional layers of security that will help make things harder for attackers.

Cybersecurity for Small Businesses: The 5 Costly Mistakes You’re Probably Making

Small enterprises are not too small to be hacked. The reality is that small business is a major target of cybercriminals due to the fact that they barely have committed security departments, official policies, and enterprise level equipment.

As a small business owner, founder or manager, it is likely that you are making one or more of these cybersecurity mistakes, and each costs you dearly in terms of financial loss, downtime or even out of business.

We will examine the 5 most expensive cybersecurity errors made by small businesses and the solutions to them.

Mistake #1: Relying on Basic Antivirus Instead of Real Threat Detection

Many small businesses believe installing antivirus software means they’re protected. Unfortunately, this is no longer true.

Why This Is Dangerous for SMBs

  • Antivirus only detects known threats

  • Modern attacks use file-less malware and phishing

  • Ransomware often bypasses traditional antivirus

Real SMB Risk

A single infected laptop can:

  • Spread malware across your network

  • Steal customer or payment data

  • Shut down operations for days

What to Do Instead

✔ Upgrade to Endpoint Detection & Response (EDR)
✔ Monitor behavior, not just virus signatures
✔ Use layered security (firewall + endpoint + email security)

Mistake #2: No Real Backup Strategy (or Untested Backups)

Many small businesses think they have backups—until they actually need them.

Common SMB Backup Failures

  • Backups stored on the same system

  • No offline or immutable backups

  • Backups never tested for recovery

Why This Is Costly

After a ransomware attack:

  • Hackers encrypt live systems and backups

  • Businesses are forced to pay ransom—or shut down

What to Do Instead

✔ Follow the 3-2-1 backup rule
✔ Keep at least one offline or immutable backup
✔ Test recovery regularly (not just backup success)

Mistake #3: Misconfigured Cloud & SaaS Services

Small businesses rely heavily on cloud tools like:

  • Google Workspace

  • Microsoft 365

  • Cloud storage

  • Accounting and CRM platforms

The problem isn’t the cloud—it’s misconfiguration.

Typical SMB Cloud Mistakes

  • Open storage folders

  • Weak admin passwords

  • Too many users with full access

  • No logging or monitoring

Why This Happens

SMBs often:

  • Set up cloud services quickly

  • Skip security hardening

  • Assume cloud = secure by default

What to Do Instead

✔ Apply least-privilege access
✔ Enable MFA on all admin accounts
✔ Regularly audit cloud configurations

Mistake #4: No Incident Response Plan (You’ll Panic When It Happens)

When a cyberattack hits, most small businesses have no idea what to do next.

Without a Plan:

  • Employees don’t know who to inform

  • Systems stay infected longer

  • Damage spreads

  • Recovery costs skyrocket

Why SMBs Skip This

  • “We’ll deal with it if it happens”

  • No security leadership

  • No time to plan

What to Do Instead

✔ Create a simple incident response plan
✔ Define who handles IT, legal, and communication
✔ Practice at least once per year

You don’t need a complex playbook—just a clear response path.

Mistake #5: Treating Cybersecurity as an IT Expense, Not a Business Risk

This is the most dangerous mistake of all.

Why This Hurts Small Businesses

  • Security budgets are delayed or minimized

  • Leadership is not involved

  • Risk decisions are made blindly

The Reality

Cybersecurity impacts:

  • Revenue

  • Customer trust

  • Legal compliance

  • Business continuity

One serious breach can cost more than years of preventive security spending.

What to Do Instead

✔ Treat cybersecurity as risk management
✔ Involve leadership in security decisions
✔ Align security investments with business goals

Why Small Businesses Are Hit Harder Than Enterprises

Factor Small Business Enterprise
Security Team None or minimal Dedicated SOC
Monitoring Limited 24/7
Recovery Budget Low High
Attack Impact Business-ending Often survivable

For SMBs, one major cyber incident can be fatal.

“I Have Nothing to Hide”: Debunking the 5 Most Dangerous Cybersecurity Myths

“I have nothing to hide.”

It’s one of the most common—and most dangerous—phrases in cybersecurity.

This belief is exactly what cybercriminals rely on. In reality, most victims of cyberattacks didn’t think they were targets either. They weren’t famous, wealthy, or doing anything illegal. They were simply connected to the internet.

Let’s dismantle the five most dangerous cybersecurity myths that put everyday users and businesses at risk.

Myth #1: “I Have Nothing to Hide”

This is the most harmful cybersecurity myth of all.

Why It’s Wrong

You don’t need secrets to be valuable to attackers. Your data can be used for:

  • Identity theft

  • Financial fraud

  • Phishing attacks against others

  • Account takeovers

  • Blackmail using manipulated or private data

Hackers don’t care who you are—they care about what they can exploit.

Reality Check

Your:

  • Email

  • Phone number

  • Location

  • Photos

  • Contacts

  • Login credentials

…are all valuable commodities on the dark web.

Having “nothing to hide” doesn’t mean having nothing to lose.

Myth #2: “Macs Don’t Get Viruses”

This myth persists because macOS is secure by design—but secure doesn’t mean immune.

Why It’s Wrong

  • Malware targeting macOS has increased sharply

  • Phishing attacks don’t care what OS you use

  • Browser-based attacks bypass OS-level protection

Attackers now target user behavior, not operating systems.

Reality Check

Mac users often skip security tools, making them more attractive targets, not less.

Security is about layers, not brand loyalty.

Myth #3: “Incognito Mode Makes Me Anonymous”

Incognito mode is one of the most misunderstood features on the internet.

What Incognito Actually Does

✔ Doesn’t save browsing history locally
✔ Doesn’t save cookies after closing

What It Does Not Do

Hide your IP address
Stop websites from tracking you
Prevent ISPs from seeing activity
Protect against malware or phishing

Reality Check

You are still visible to:

  • Websites

  • Advertisers

  • Network administrators

  • Internet service providers

Incognito mode protects your device history, not your identity.

Myth #4: “All Software Updates Are Safe—Install Them Immediately”

This myth sounds responsible—but it’s half true.

Why Blind Updates Can Be Risky

  • Updates sometimes contain bugs

  • New versions can break compatibility

  • Some updates introduce new vulnerabilities

  • Fake update pop-ups are common malware traps

The Smart Approach

✔ Install updates from official sources only
✔ Enable automatic updates for security patches
✔ Delay major version upgrades until stable

Reality Check

Updates are essential—but how and when you install them matters.

Myth #5: “Hackers Only Go After Big Companies”

This myth keeps small businesses and individuals dangerously exposed.

Why Small Targets Are Preferred

  • Fewer security controls

  • Slower detection

  • Higher chance of success

  • Easier monetization

Most attacks today are:

  • Automated

  • Opportunistic

  • Mass-targeted

You’re not targeted personally—you’re targeted statistically.

Assuming your Organization is not a Target for Attackers

Every company, large or small, and in any vertical market, is a potential target for attackers.

Motivation for cybercriminals spans a broad spectrum: from attackers who are practising honing their “skills”; to the renown associated with the effective intrusion into government institutions and, of course, the activities with profit objectives. Unfortunately, this variety of incentives means that no type of company or institution is free from threat.

The incidents generally covered most extensively in the news are the theft of personal data, including credit card numbers and other data classified as personally identifiable information (PII). Consequently, some companies may conclude that they are not on attackers’ radar because they do not handle this data. However, reality has shown that attackers carry out their activities in all sectors of the economy, seeking to compromise information assets to seize data.

Conclusion

A strong cybersecurity strategy consists of different layers of protection to defend your business against cybercrime, including attacks to access designe, change or destroy data, or extort money from your employees or company. In addition, we aim to disrupt your daily business operations.

Related Reading: Check out our guide on how to choose Your Own Company?