Workers found to be one of the biggest IT risks to businesses due to mistakes and misuse

Are your staff unknowingly opening the door to hackers?

As cyber attacks become increasingly covert and targeted, Australian businesses are being urged to consider whether the real risk to their systems could be coming from inside the building. According to Vidit Sehgal, cyber security expert and CEO of V4 IT, Australia's leading provider of onsite IT support for homes and businesses, staff misuse of company computers is becoming one of the biggest enablers of cyber breaches.

"Most business owners think hackers are getting in through some high-level cyber warfare, but in reality, they're often getting in because a staff member has clicked the wrong link, ignored a warning or downloaded something they shouldn't have," Sehgal said.

"Whether it's using work computers for personal browsing, logging into unsecured public WiFi, or ignoring antivirus updates, these everyday habits are giving hackers a free pass into business systems."

Sehgal outlined the increasing risks for businesses and what to be aware of. 

Silent sabotage: How innocent misuse creates massive risk

Sehgal said many staff don't realise the risks they are introducing simply by misusing a company computer or accessing personal email, social media or streaming sites during work hours. In some cases, it only takes a single click on a phishing email or fake browser update for hackers to infiltrate an entire network.

"Once inside, hackers don't necessarily cause chaos immediately," he explained. 

"They sit quietly, observing everything, emails, login credentials, client files, sensitive business data and when the time is right, they act."

Sehgal warned that this type of infiltration often goes undetected for weeks or even months. By the time the breach becomes visible, the damage is often extensive. Hackers may have already used stolen data to open credit accounts, poach customers, redirect transactions or launch fraud schemes, all without the business even knowing.

"The impact on a business can be catastrophic.  Customer poaching is a big issue and a goldmine for hackers who use the information to offer customers better deals or even offers too good to be true and once they pay, the scam business disappears leaving the original business suffering and scrambling," Sehgal said. 

Red flags your system has been compromised

A noticeable slowdown in computer performance, unexpected system crashes or suspicious popups are all signs something may be wrong. If files start disappearing, passwords are changed without permission or your antivirus mysteriously disables itself, these are serious indicators of a breach.

"If your mouse moves on its own, the webcam light flicks on without you touching it, or staff begin receiving unusual password reset emails, you're likely dealing with an active threat," Sehgal said.

Even strange emails or messages being sent from company accounts can be a sign the main system has already been hijacked.

"Once a hacker gets into the company network, they have access to everything," he said.

"They can see what your staff are doing, read confidential emails and begin impersonating you or your team."

Staff behaviour matters more than you think

Sehgal emphasised that even trusted employees can unintentionally invite serious risk. Using weak passwords, failing to log out of cloud-based tools or downloading software without approval are all behaviours that put businesses in jeopardy.

"The majority of staff are not malicious, they're just unaware.  Unfortunately in cyber security, ignorance is just as dangerous as intent," he said.

What business owners must do now

If there's even a suspicion of a breach, the first step is to disconnect affected devices from the internet and contact a cyber security expert. According to Sehgal, the most effective course of action is to arrange for an IT professional to conduct a complete onsite computer health check.

"Don't try to fix the issue yourself and don't take the computer to a random tech store. Have a trusted IT professional come to your business or home, inspect your system in person, remove threats and lock it down properly," he said.

If malicious software is active, attempting to remove it without expertise can backfire. Some malware is programmed to delete files, block access or even demand ransom once removal is attempted. A professional can safely clean, update and secure the system while preserving important data and identifying the entry point of the breach.

Prevention starts with leadership

While no business is completely immune to cyber threats, Sehgal said the best protection lies in proactive leadership. This means educating staff, implementing clear IT usage policies and scheduling regular security audits.

"Your staff are your first line of defence or your weakest link," Sehgal said.

"Don't assume that just because everything seems to be working, nothing is wrong. Hackers thrive on silence. By the time you hear the noise, it's often too late.

"The smartest investment a business can make today is a regular computer health check by an IT professional who comes to you. It is one of the easiest and most effective ways to prevent a silent breach before it turns into a disaster."

About V4 IT

V4 IT, headquartered in Melbourne, is a leading provider of home and business IT support services in Australia. Since its inception in May 2022, V4 IT has rapidly expanded its footprint, now covering over 1,500 postcodes across the country. The company's mission is to become Australia's most trusted home IT service provider by delivering reliable and efficient online and onsite support to a growing customer base.

V4 IT specialises in:

• Home and business IT support: Comprehensive solutions tailored to meet individual and small business needs.
• Online and onsite support services: Flexible service delivery, ensuring convenience and efficiency.
• Nationwide coverage: Over 100 expert technicians providing assistance across more than 1,500 postcodes.

www.v4it.com.au