Are PDFs Putting Your Business at Risk?

For many small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) across the South West region, PDFs are part of everyday working life. For invoices, contracts, marketing material, or reports the PDF feels like one of the safest and most convenient file formats out there. After all, it’s just a document, right? Unfortunately, cybercriminals know just how much businesses trust PDFs and they are increasingly using them as a way to get a foot in the door.

Why PDFs are a Growing Threat

PDFs can be used to hide malicious links or attachments designed to trick the recipient. You might open what looks like a normal invoice, only to find that clicking a link inside installs malware onto your device. In some cases, attackers will hide a fake login page within a PDF, hoping you’ll hand over your personal or financial details without realising.

Here in the South West, SMEs are the backbone of our local communities. For a family-run shops in small market towns or a professional service firm in a larger city such as Bristol, a single cyber incident could cause serious disruption and potential catastrophic consequences. Losing access to systems, damage to trust and reputation, and financial loss can hit small businesses particularly hard.

What This Means for SMEs in the South West

Larger global organisations tend to have dedicated IT and security teams keeping watch for these threats, and highly sophisticated cybersecurity protocols in place to deal with potential threats before they escalate. On the other hand, SMEs may not have the same level of resources or expertise. It’s a common misconception that small businesses are too small for cyberattacks, but the reality is that this lack of strong cyber defence makes SMEs the prime target for cybercriminals.

In practice, this could look like:

·       A construction business in Cornwall receiving a fake PDF of an “invoice” from what looks like a supplier.

·       A legal firm in Exeter opening a contract file hiding a phishing link.

·       A small farm shop in Devon downloading a PDF order that installs ransomware into their systems.

In every case, what seems to be a regular everyday document would bring the business’ operations to a standstill.

How You Can Protect Your Business

The good news is that there are a few practical steps that SMEs can take to reduce the risks associated with cybercrime, especially threats that may come from PDFs.

·       Train your team – Your staff are the first and last line of defence that your company has against cybercrime. Make them aware that PDFs can be dangerous and encourage them to double-check unexpected files. We also offer Security Awareness Training designed for SMEs to help them provide their staff with the knowledge and confidence needed to recognise and report potential cyber threats.

·       Verify before you open – If you receive a PDF from an unknown source, or even from a known contact but it looks unusual, verify with the source before opening. It is possible that your contact could have had a cyber breach, and the attacker is sending the communication.

·       Keep systems updated – Make sure your PDF reader and wider company software is up to date to patch up any vulnerabilities that could be lying in your system.

·       Become cyber resilient – A cyber resilient business is fully prepared for any cyber threat that may come their way. Cyber resilience means that your business can identify risks, respond quickly to incidents, and recover without any major disruptions to your operations or damage to your reputation. Your local Cyber Resilience Centre, which is us at the SWCRC, can help you on your journey to cyber resilience with our expert guidance, security updates, and Cyber PATH services.

Our Goal? A Cyber Resilient South West

Our mission is to support our local SMEs in building their defences against cyber threats like these. Cybercrime is a challenge for every business in our region, not just the large corporations. By taking simple precautions, you can make sure PDFs don’t become a hidden weakness in your business’ daily operations. If you would like expert advice tailored to your industry, get in touch with a member of our experienced team today. Join us in our journey to making the South West a safer place to do business!