When you picture a cyberattack, the image that comes to your mind (most likely) is that of a large-scale data breach at a multinational company, completed with lawsuits, flashing headlines, and staggering financial losses. One might even have the misconception that cybercriminals operate with tunnel vision and focus solely on Fortune 500 companies that have limitless resources and endless databases of customer information. But let’s think about this thoroughly. Is this really the case? Do cybercriminals really have such a limited view? Or do they cast their nets much wider, and often also drag smaller, less prepared businesses that are more likely to actually fall into their traps? Don’t act so surprised to find out that small businesses are far from invisible in the digital crosshairs, even if large corporations are the juiciest targets.

The allure of corporations: bigger rewards, bigger headlines

No one will deny that large companies attract a significant portion of cybercriminal attention. The companies that serve millions of people and complete the same number of financial transactions are irresistible jackpots for cybercriminals. For them, the prize isn’t just stealing sensitive data and extorting companies for financial gain, but also gaining the notoriety of having compromised a big name. Consider massive breaches such as Equifax in 2017 or Marriott in 2018; these cases show that a single successful intrusion can expose hundreds of millions of records at once. According to IBM’s 2024 Cost of a Data Breach study, the global average cost of a breach reached $4.45 million, and for large corporations, the damage often escalates even higher due to regulatory fines, reputational losses, and operational downtime.

Small companies are underestimated targets

Here is a catch: just because small companies don’t always make front-page news, it doesn’t mean they’re not worthy of cybercriminals' attention. Quite the opposite, Verizon’s 2024 Data Breach Investigations Report indicated that 43% of cyberattacks target small businesses, a number that has remained stubbornly consistent in recent years. Why? Attackers know that smaller enterprises often lack the same cybersecurity budgets, infrastructure, and in-house expertise as their corporate counterparts. To put it in simpler words, while big names are usually well-protected castles with high walls, small companies are like homes with open windows; it’s quite easy to get inside and less likely for them to use fancy alarm systems.

At first glance, it could seem counterintuitive for cybercriminals to focus their attention on companies with small financial resources and a low number of customers. But these businesses usually store the same type of sensitive data (intellectual property, employee records, credit card information, and supplier details) without thinking too much about cybersecurity defenses. According to a 2023 survey by the National Cybersecurity Alliance, 60% of small businesses close within six months of a cyberattack, showing how devastating even a single breach can be. Cybercriminals love these scenarios where they have a high likelihood of success and a low barrier to entry. Attacks like ransomware, phishing schemes, and business email compromise do not require millions of stolen records to be profitable. Even extorting a business for a few thousand dollars can be lucrative, especially when multiplied across hundreds of victims.

Do Cybercriminals Prefer Large or Small Businesses?

The answer lies in the type of cybercriminal they are and their personal goals. A sophisticated hacker or state-sponsored actor will most likely prefer targeting corporations, where the potential for geopolitical disruption or large-scale theft is higher. They will run a carefully planned operation that could span over the course of months or even years, and collaborate with a team of skilled professionals. Individual cybercriminals, on the other hand, prefer to pursue smaller targets like local businesses because they don’t chase headlines but a quick profit. This explains the rise of ransomware-as-a-service (RaaS), where even low-skilled criminals can purchase ready-made attack kits and deploy them against vulnerable small businesses.

It’s best not to think about this as an either-or situation because, in fact, it’s both. Cybercrime has become so democratized that attackers come in all shapes and sizes, with varying risk tolerances and motivations.

Small businesses need to learn how to defend themselves

The first step is to increase their awareness and understand that they can also be victims because not all cybercriminals chase billion-dollar corporations. Some prefer startups, mom-and-pop shops, and local service providers. The next step involves using effective tools such as password managers, antivirus and anti-malware software, firewalls, encryption tools, Data Loss Prevention (DLP) software, Intrusion Detection and Prevention Systems (IDS/IPS), and Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) to protect their sensitive data. Weak or reused passwords remain one of the most common entry points for attackers. According to Verizon’s 2024 DBIR, 74% of breaches involved the human element, including stolen or compromised credentials. A business password manager generates complex, unique passwords for every account and securely stores them so employees don’t have to rely on memory or worse, sticky notes on their desks. Most managers even include features like secure password sharing among teams, alerts if a password has been exposed, and dark web monitoring. Antivirus and anti-malware software protect company data by using signature-based detection, real-time scanning, and automatic updates to identify, prevent, and remove malicious software. Firewalls protect your company's data by acting as a secure barrier that monitors and filters all incoming and outgoing network traffic.

Conclusion

Cybercrime is not confined to one sector or company size. It adapts to opportunity. What matters most is that businesses acknowledge the risk and take proactive steps to strengthen their defenses. By treating cybersecurity as an ongoing responsibility rather than a one-time task, organizations of any size can build resilience and focus on growth with greater confidence.