And what to do if you notice them

We all like to believe it will not happen to us. Your business is small. Your team is careful. You are not guarding national secrets. However, the truth is that small businesses are often targeted more frequently than large enterprises.

Why? Because attackers count on you not having strong protections in place.

Over the years, I have helped small business owners identify threats they were unaware of. Emails were being sent from their accounts. Their systems slowed down. Clients were reporting strange messages.

A dark blue digital graphic with bold white and green text reads “7 Warning Signs Your Small Business Might Be Hacked.” A green shield icon with a padlock and circuit lines represents cybersecurity protection. The design uses SNL Tech Services' branded colors to highlight the importance of identifying cybersecurity threats and protecting small businesses from data breaches and hacking attempts.

They missed the early warning signs. And by the time they noticed, damage had already been done.

So how can you tell if something is wrong?

1. Employees Get Locked Out of Accounts

If your team suddenly cannot access accounts they use every day, this could be a sign of a breach. Hackers often change passwords to lock you out and take control.

2. Suspicious Login Activity

Look for logins from countries where you do not operate or activity at unusual hours. Platforms like Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace make it easy to review recent login history.

If something looks off, it probably is.

3. Emails Are Being Sent That No One Wrote

If your clients are receiving strange emails from you, your email account may have been compromised. This puts your reputation and customer trust at risk.

4. Security Software Is Disabled

Some attackers try to disable antivirus tools or firewalls to avoid detection. If your protections suddenly stop working or alert you to unexpected changes, take it seriously.

5. Unfamiliar Users or Programs Appear

If you notice new user accounts, unfamiliar software, or unusual system behavior, it may indicate that someone is attempting to gain control within your network.

6. Systems Become Slow or Unstable

Frequent crashing, slowness, or unusual pop-ups may indicate that malware is running in the background. This is a common sign of infection.

7. Clients or Vendors Report Strange Messages

If someone contacts you to report receiving a suspicious invoice or file from your business, investigate the matter immediately. Your account could be spreading threats without your knowledge.

What to Do If Your Small Business Is Hacked

Do not ignore the warning signs Even minor anomalies can signal a larger issue.

Disconnect compromised devices If you suspect a system is infected, remove it from your network immediately.

Reset passwords and enable multi-factor authentication Change credentials and turn on MFA for all critical accounts.

Get expert helpThis is where I come in. I help small businesses identify threats, remediate compromised systems, and enhance security to prevent future attacks.