Cybercriminals are getting smarter - and personal information is often their way in. Here are six common tactics they use to compromise organizations: 

1. Phishing & Spear-Phishing 

   Attackers craft urgent, realistic messages using stolen personal details to trick people into clicking malicious links or downloading malware. 

2. Credential Stuffing 

   When people reuse passwords across personal and work accounts, stolen credentials can give hackers access to corporate systems. 

3. Ransomware 

   Hackers encrypt your data and demand payment to unlock it. Even if you pay, there’s no guarantee your data will be restored - and it could still be leaked. 

4. Business Email Compromise (BEC) 

   By impersonating executives or staff, attackers trick companies into making unauthorized wire transfers or sharing sensitive info. 

5. Data Exfiltration 

   Cybercriminals steal proprietary data or trade secrets and sell them on the dark web. 

6. Social Engineering 

   Attackers manipulate employees into sharing confidential information, often without realizing it. 

How to protect yourself and your organization: 

• Use unique passwords for each account and store them securely in a password manager

• Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) 

• Monitor personal data for dark web exposure 

• Stay alert for suspicious messages - even if they seem familiar, always verify requests through a separate communication channel

Cybersecurity starts with awareness. By practicing good habits, you help protect your entire organization. 

If you have any questions or need assistance with your cybersecurity strategy don't hesitate to get in touch with our expert team at customercare@atekro.com or call us at (425) 429-6100. We're your local IT services provider, just around the corner, and always ready to help.