Cybersecurity myths are everywhere — and they can leave small business owners dangerously exposed. Many people assume hackers only care about big corporations or that basic antivirus software is enough to stay safe. In reality, cybercriminals often target small businesses because they’re easier to breach and less likely to have strong protections in place.

You don’t need a huge IT budget or a specialist team to safeguard your business. Most attacks exploit simple mistakes like weak passwords, outdated software, or careless clicks on phishing emails. A few practical steps can go a long way toward keeping your data, your website, and your customers secure.

In this post, we’ll tackle ten of the most common security myths and reveal what you can do instead to strengthen your defences and protect your business online.

1: “Hackers only go after big companies.”

Reality: Not true! And that’s one of the biggest myths to debunk right away.

According Vodafone Business, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) throughout the United Kingdom incur annual losses of £3.4 billion annually due to poor cybersecurity measures. Over a third (35%) of UK SMEs experienced a cyber incident in 2024, and 32% had no cybersecurity measures in place at all.

It’s important to understand that the majority of attacks today are automated: scanning the internet day and night for easy targets. Because smaller businesses often have security than bigger ones, that actually makes them prime candidates for crime. Even something as simple as an email or domain account can be hijacked for spam or fraud, without the right protections.

2: “Cybersecurity is too expensive for my small business.”

Reality: You don’t need deep pockets to stay safe. Simple steps — keeping software updated, backing up data, using password managers, and doing a bit of staff training — are inexpensive but powerful. They cost far less than recovering from a breach.

According to a 2024 study by Howden, UK businesses have lost around £44 billion to cyber attacks over the past five years. The research found that implementing basic cybersecurity measures could reduce these costs by up to 75%, saving the average business about £3.5 million over ten years — a 25% return on investment.

One easy step is choosing a reputable web host and email provider. A host with strong security practices can help protect your website and email from being an easy target, giving you extra defence without costing a fortune.

3: “A strong password is enough to keep me safe.”

Reality: Nope! A long password helps, but it’s not the full story.

Phishing, malware, and data leaks can still compromise your account. Reusing passwords makes it even easier for attackers. Add multi-factor authentication (MFA) for an extra layer of protection, and make sure your website has an SSL certificate to keep sensitive information encrypted as it travels online.

4: “Phishing emails are easy to spot.”

Reality: Sadly, not anymore. Today’s phishing scams increasingly make use of AI to mimic real brands, use perfect grammar, and may even include personal details. A 2026 phishing report found that AI-generated phishing emails have a 54% click‑through rate vs. 12% for human‑written attempts.

Always check who sent the message, hover over links before clicking, and be suspicious of unexpected attachments. A professional email mailbox with built-in anti-phishing tools can help keep your inbox safe.

See also: How to Spot a Phishing Email: Tips for UK Business Owners and No More Spam, Please! How Can I Stop Getting Spam Emails?

5: “Antivirus software gives complete protection.”

Reality: Antivirus software is useful, but it only blocks known threats — it won’t always catch phishing emails or the latest exploits. True protection comes from combining good habits with regular updates and reliable backups.

Top Tip: Beyond  antivirus software, one of the simplest ways to protect yourself is to turn on file type extensions and get familiar with the most common file types (.doc, .jpg, etc). Windows hides them by default and that can make it easy to be tricked into opening dodgy files.

6: “Public Wi-Fi is safe as long as it has a password.”

Reality: Anyone on the same network could snoop on your traffic or launch a “man‑in‑the‑middle” (MiM) attack. According to NetConsulting, these sorts of attacks make up 19% of all successful cyber attacks, often exploiting public Wi-Fi’s weak security to steal credentials, inject malware or hijack sessions.

Treat public Wi‑Fi like a dodgy shortcut, and avoid logging in to anything sensitive unless you’re protected — ideally with a VPN and HTTPS. But that leads us to the next one…

See also: Why Every Business Needs a Professional Email Address

7: “I’m 100% safe online because I use a VPN.”

Reality: A VPN is great for privacy, but it’s not a magic shield. VPNs encrypt traffic and hide IP addresses, but they don’t protect against malware, phishing, viruses, weak passwords or social engineering — threats that rely on user behaviour, not network exposure.

In short: if you click a phishing link or download infected files while using a VPN, it won’t block or scan them; it simply secures the connection, not your actions.

8: “HTTPS always means a website is safe.”

Reality: SSL certificates are what make HTTPS possible — they encrypt the connection between a visitor’s browser and your website, keeping data like logins and payment details private.

But while encryption protects information in transit, and every business needs one (not least to get found on Google), an SSL doesn’t totally guarantee the site itself is genuine. Criminals can still set up fake sites with their own certificates to trick users. Up to 25% of phishing sites now use HTTPS (up from <1% two years prior), tricking users with the padlock icon while stealing data at the destination.

See also: 7 Reasons Why SSL Certificates are Essential for Websites

Top Tip: Choose a trusted SSL certificate from a reputable provider. It not only secures your site with HTTPS but also proves to visitors that your website is authentic.

9: “Macs (or Linux PCs) never get viruses.”

Reality: Sorry Mac fans, you’re not invincible. macOS, Windows, and even mobile devices can get malware, adware, and ransomware. Believing your device is immune often makes people take more risks and ignore updates, which is exactly what hackers love.

10: “Cheap hosting is fine — security isn’t a big deal for a small site.”

Reality: Low-cost hosting can come with hidden risks, such as outdated software and weak security. Reliable hosts provide stronger protection, uptime and regular updates, reducing the risk of breaches that could expose sensitive data. Choosing a trusted provider like 123 Reg minimises vulnerabilities for small businesses.

See also: Website Security: How to Keep Your Business Safe Online

Wrap up

Cybersecurity is not just for large companies. Small businesses are often easier targets, but good habits like using strong passwords, enabling MFA, and keeping software up to date can make a big difference. Don’t believe the myths — simple actions can protect your data and your reputation.

Domain privacy protection hides your personal contact details from public databases, helping prevent attackers from hijacking your website or impersonating your brand. Learn more about Domain Privacy and Ownership Protection and help secure your domain.