How does cybercrime affect the UK's self-employed?

There are a wide range of cyber-attacks that can pose a threat to the self-employed including hacking extortion, malware infection and phishing scams.

What type of cyber-attack is the most common?

The most frequent type of cyber-attack experienced by the self-employed is a malware/virus breach, closely followed by a data breach and phishing attack.

Malware encrypting business-critical devices like laptops and tablets can stop devices from running efficiently, erase files and damage programmes that can stop you from being able to work, therefore impacting your business’ income. In some cases, a virus can lead to confidential client data being stolen which causes further implications.

How can I protect my business against cybercrime?

As cybercrime continues to develop, making sure you take the right preventative measures is crucial. By having cyber security in place that will prevent breaches and threats from taking place, the self-employed can reduce the risk of experiencing a cyber-attack.

As well as having suitable cyber security, self-employed businesses should also ensure that they are protected with cyber insurance. This type of insurance can cover against the legal defence costs, damages owed to other parties, the cost of informing clients of a data breach and the cost of restoring data and equipment, helping you to get back to business quicker.