If you run a small business in Delaware, here is an uncomfortable truth: cybercriminals love small businesses. Why? Because most don’t have an IT department, most don’t have basic security in place, and most assume “hackers won’t target a company my size.” That assumption is exactly what makes you a target.

Over 43% of cyberattacks target small businesses. And 60% of small businesses hit by a major cyberattack close their doors within 6 months.

The good news? You don’t need a Fortune 500 IT budget to protect your business. You just need to get the basics right.

The Top 7 Cybersecurity Risks for Delaware Small Businesses

1. Phishing emails — fake invoices, fake “your account is locked” emails, fake CEO messages asking employees to wire money
2. Weak or reused passwords — one leaked password can unlock your whole business
3. Outdated software — old Windows, old WordPress, old plugins are easy targets
4. No backups — if ransomware hits, you have no recovery option
5. Unsecured Wi-Fi — open networks let anyone snoop on traffic
6. No antivirus or endpoint protection — one infected employee laptop infects everything
7. Lost or stolen devices — a laptop in a car overnight can leak everything

10 Cybersecurity Basics Every Delaware Small Business Should Have

1. Use a password manager — Bitwarden (free) or 1Password. Stop reusing passwords.
2. Turn on Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) — on email, banking, social media, and all business apps
3. Run updates weekly — Windows, Mac, WordPress, browser, antivirus
4. Back up everything — cloud (Google Drive, OneDrive) + a local external drive
5. Use a business-grade antivirus — not the free trial that came with the laptop
6. Secure your Wi-Fi — WPA3 password, separate guest network, no default router password
7. Train your team — one 30-minute session on spotting phishing emails saves you thousands
8. Lock down email — SPF, DKIM, DMARC records on your domain (your IT person can set this up)
9. Limit admin access — only one or two people should have admin rights on company computers
10. Have an incident response plan — written down. “Who do we call if we get hacked?”

Common Mistakes We See Across Delaware Small Businesses

• Sharing one email password across the whole team
• Using “password123” or “[BusinessName]2024” for the Wi-Fi
• No backups of QuickBooks or customer data
• Running Windows 7 or Windows 10 (no security updates anymore)
• Clicking every link in every email without thinking
• Leaving the company laptop unattended in coffee shops

The “But We’re Too Small to Be Hacked” Myth

Most cyberattacks aren’t personal. Bad actors run automated scans across the entire internet looking for vulnerable systems. Your local plumbing business, accountant, or church is just as visible to them as a Fortune 500 company.

The difference? You don’t have a security team. You’re the easy target.

How EARV Tech Can Help Your Small Business

We work with Dover and Kent County small businesses, churches, and nonprofits on:

• Cybersecurity audits — we tell you exactly where the gaps are
• Endpoint protection setup — business-grade antivirus across your team
• Email security setup — SPF, DKIM, DMARC, phishing filters
• Backup systems — automated cloud + local backups
• Wi-Fi network lockdown
• Employee training (basic phishing awareness)
• Incident response — if you’ve already been hit, we help you recover

Free Cybersecurity Check for Local Businesses

Worried about your security posture? We offer a free 15-minute cybersecurity consultation for Delaware small businesses. We’ll review the top 5 risks specific to your business and give you a clear next step.

📞 Call: (302) 857-0620
📧 Email: info@earvtech.com
🌐 Website: earvtech.com

Locally owned. Locally trusted. EARV Tech — Cybersecurity for Delaware small businesses.