Why Hackers Target Solo Entrepreneurs (And What You Can Do About It)

“I always thought hackers went after big companies. Why would they waste time on a one-person business like mine?”

That’s what Melissa, a virtual assistant and solo entrepreneur, asked after she discovered someone had tried to log in to her business email from six different countries in one week.

Here’s the truth: Hackers love solo entrepreneurs.
Not because you’re high-value—but because you’re low-hanging fruit.

In this post, we’ll explain why small and solo businesses are such common targets, how attackers operate, and how to protect yourself with just a few smart steps.

🎯 Why You’re a Target

Contrary to popular belief, most cybercriminals don’t “choose” individual victims—they automate attacks and look for easy wins. Solo businesses are often:

• ✅ Running on personal devices

• ✅ Using free or low-cost tools

• ✅ Operating without IT support or cybersecurity tools

• ✅ Moving fast and multitasking constantly

That makes you the perfect target for:

• Phishing emails

• Password reuse attacks

• Invoice fraud

• Malware delivered through browser plugins or free tools

Even worse? One breach can lead to accessing your clients’ data, which brings potential legal and financial headaches.

🧠 Real-World Examples

1. A solo bookkeeper reused her email password across five sites. When one site was breached, attackers logged into her email and sent fake invoices to two of her clients.

2. A business coach clicked a link in a “Dropbox” email while traveling. It installed spyware that gave hackers access to her saved passwords in Chrome.

3. A Shopify store owner didn’t set up 2FA on her payment platform. A hacker drained $6,200 in payouts before she noticed.

These aren’t edge cases. They’re common.

🚩 What Makes You Vulnerable

Here are some patterns that make solo entrepreneurs easy targets:

• No 2FA (Two-Factor Authentication)
  Passwords alone are not enough anymore.

• Using Personal Email for Business
  It’s easier to spoof, easier to guess, and less secure.

• Insecure Wi-Fi (Especially When Traveling)
  Free café Wi-Fi can allow attackers to intercept your activity.

• Outdated Software & Tools
  That old plugin or theme you forgot about might be riddled with vulnerabilities.

• Lack of Backups
  If ransomware hits, you’re stuck unless you’ve backed up files offsite.

🛡️ What You Can Do (Without a Tech Team)

You don’t need an IT department to stay safe. Just do these:

1. Enable 2FA on Everything

Start with your email, cloud storage, financial tools, and CRM.

2. Use a Password Manager

No more reusing the same password across your calendar, invoicing, and email.

3. Separate Work & Personal Accounts

Use a dedicated business email and avoid mixing tools.

4. Avoid Public Wi-Fi (or Use a VPN)

When you’re working remotely, a VPN can prevent someone from snooping on your data.

5. Backup Important Data Weekly

Cloud sync isn’t always backup. Use a tool or external drive to copy your most important files.

💡 Bonus Tip: Treat Yourself Like a Tiny Tech Company

Even if it’s just you, start thinking like a business—not a hobby.

That means:

• Setting security standards

• Reviewing access monthly

• Using the same tools your larger clients expect (like encrypted email and secure payments)

🔚 Small Target ≠ Safe

Cybercriminals don’t care how small your business is—they care how easy you are to compromise.

Fortunately, with a few smart habits and the right tools, you can be far too annoying for hackers to bother with.

👉 Not sure where you stand?
Our free Cyber Health Report will show you your biggest risks—based on your website, tools, and habits.
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