Gone are the days of brute-force cyberattacks. Today’s hackers aren’t breaking in—they’re logging in.
Across Tampa Bay, we’re seeing a rise in identity-based attacks, where cybercriminals get into your systems using stolen logins. They don’t need to hack your firewall if they have your password—and unfortunately, that’s exactly what they’re getting.
How Hackers Are Getting Past the Front Door
These aren’t far-fetched tactics. We’ve seen this happen in firms from Sarasota to Clearwater:
Common Entry Points:
- Employees tricked by fake login pages
- MFA fatigue attacks (constant login prompts)
- SIM swaps stealing 2FA codes
- Vendors with poor security
They don’t need to be technical geniuses—they just need someone to click the wrong link.
What It Means for Your Business
If a hacker gets into your network using a real login, it’s hard to spot—and harder to stop. That means:
- Breaches that bypass antivirus tools
- Stolen client info
- Compliance violations
- Damaged reputation
What You Can Do Today
Turn On App-Based MFA
Skip the text-message codes and use app-based prompts or security keys. They’re much harder to intercept.
Train Your Team to Spot Scams
If your employees can’t spot phishing emails, no tech can save you. A quick training can prevent expensive mistakes.
Limit Access
Only give employees what they need. If one account gets compromised, the damage stays contained.
Consider Going Passwordless
Security keys or biometrics can remove the weakest link—the password—altogether.
You Don’t Have to Navigate This Alone
Here at Reef Cyber Security, we specialize in helping Tampa Bay’s financial and professional firms build defenses that work in real life. We’ll help you protect what matters most, without making your team jump through hoops.
Start with a FREE Network Risk Assessment. We’ll review your setup, identify gaps, and give you a plan that fits your business.
