The Hidden Dangers: What Happens When Small Business Computers Aren't Regularly Patched?

Jason Denovich
Sep 3
5 min read

In today's digital landscape, small businesses are often seen as less attractive targets for cybercriminals compared to their larger counterparts. However, this perception is a dangerous misconception. The reality is quite the opposite: small businesses are increasingly becoming prime targets due to their often-limited cybersecurity resources and, critically, their tendency to overlook fundamental security practices like regular software patching. This blog post will delve into the significant risks and consequences that arise when small business computers are left unpatched, offering insights into why this seemingly minor oversight can lead to catastrophic outcomes.

The Alarming Reality: Cybersecurity Threats to Unpatched Systems

Unpatched vulnerabilities are gaping holes in a system's security, eagerly sought out by cybercriminals. These vulnerabilities can exist in operating systems, applications, and even hardware firmware. When a software vendor discovers a flaw, they release a patch or update to fix it. If a small business fails to apply these updates, they remain exposed to known exploits that attackers can easily leverage. The statistics paint a grim picture:

Small businesses are disproportionately targeted. One in every 323 targeted malicious emails, including phishing, spam, and email malware, are directed at small businesses [1]. Despite a high awareness of cyber threats, many small businesses still operate under the false assumption that they are too insignificant to attract the attention of sophisticated threat actors [2]. This complacency is a significant vulnerability in itself.

Phishing remains a prevalent threat, with 30% of small businesses identifying it as their biggest cyber concern [3]. However, the dangers extend far beyond phishing. Common threats that exploit unpatched systems include ransomware, various forms of malware and viruses, man-in-the-middle attacks, and Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks [4]. The consequences of these attacks can range from data breaches and operational disruption to severe financial losses and reputational damage.

It's a race against time: 77% of organizations require more than a week to deploy patches, and 64% struggle with coordinating detection and remediation efforts [5]. Alarmingly, 74% of businesses admit they cannot patch quickly enough, with the average patching time reported to be a staggering 102 days [6]. This delay creates a substantial window of opportunity for attackers to exploit known weaknesses.

Real-world Consequences: Case Studies of Unpatched Vulnerabilities

The theoretical risks of unpatched systems become stark realities when examining real-world incidents. These examples underscore the critical importance of timely patching:

The WannaCry Ransomware Attack (2017): This global cyberattack, which impacted over 200,000 computers across 150 countries, serves as a chilling reminder of the dangers of unpatched systems. WannaCry exploited a known vulnerability in older versions of Microsoft Windows for which a patch had been released months prior [7]. Organizations that had not applied this critical security update found their systems encrypted, demanding a ransom for their release. While not exclusively targeting small businesses, the widespread nature of the attack meant many smaller entities were caught in its devastating wake.

Ivanti VPN Vulnerabilities: More recently, threat actors have exploited high-severity zero-day vulnerabilities in Ivanti VPN devices, affecting thousands of systems, including those used by U.S. government agencies [8]. These types of attacks highlight how even seemingly secure network infrastructure can become a point of entry if not meticulously maintained and patched.

Phobos Ransomware and RDP Exploits: The Phobos ransomware group has consistently leveraged vulnerabilities in Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) to gain unauthorized access to small and medium-sized business networks [9]. RDP, often used for remote access, can be a significant security risk if not properly secured and patched against known exploits.

These incidents are not isolated. Statistics show that a significant portion of cyberattacks, particularly ransomware, originate from unpatched vulnerabilities. One-third of all ransomware attacks, for instance, begin with an unpatched weakness in a system [10]. This demonstrates a clear pattern: cybercriminals actively scan for and exploit known vulnerabilities, making regular patching a fundamental defense.

Fortifying Your Defenses: Best Practices for Patch Management

Effective patch management is not merely about applying updates; it's a strategic approach to maintaining a robust cybersecurity posture. For small businesses, implementing these best practices can significantly reduce their attack surface and protect their valuable assets:

1.Develop a Comprehensive Patch Management Policy: A clear, documented policy is the cornerstone of effective patch management. This policy should outline the procedures for identifying, acquiring, testing, and deploying software updates across all systems and applications. It should also define roles and responsibilities, ensuring accountability within the organization [11, 12].

2.Prioritize Critical Patches: Not all patches are created equal. Some address critical vulnerabilities that pose an immediate and severe risk, while others might be minor bug fixes. Businesses should prioritize the deployment of critical security patches, focusing on those that mitigate known exploits or address vulnerabilities in internet-facing systems [11, 13].

3.Automate the Patching Process: Manual patching is time-consuming, prone to human error, and often leads to delays. Automating patch deployment through dedicated patch management software or built-in system tools ensures timely updates and reduces the burden on IT staff. Automation also helps maintain consistency across the network [11, 12, 14].

4.Test Patches Before Deployment: While automation is crucial, it should be balanced with a testing phase. Before deploying patches across the entire network, especially for critical systems, test them in a controlled environment. This helps identify any potential conflicts, bugs, or performance issues that the patch might introduce, preventing widespread disruption [11, 13, 14].

5.Maintain an Up-to-date Asset Inventory: You can't protect what you don't know you have. A comprehensive and regularly updated inventory of all hardware and software assets is essential. This ensures that all systems, devices, and applications are accounted for in the patching process, leaving no blind spots for attackers to exploit [15, 13].

6.Categorize Systems: Grouping systems based on their criticality and function can help streamline patching efforts. For instance, mission-critical servers might require more frequent and rigorous patching than less sensitive workstations [13].

7.Regularly Monitor and Audit: Patch management is an ongoing process, not a one-time task. Continuously monitor systems for new vulnerabilities and audit the effectiveness of your patching program. This includes reviewing patch success rates, identifying any missed systems, and staying informed about emerging threats [15].

Solutions for Small Businesses:

Small businesses often have limited IT resources, making comprehensive patch management seem daunting. Fortunately, several solutions can help:

•Managed Service Providers (MSPs): LIKE NEW LOOK COMPUTER!!!!

Many small businesses outsource their IT needs, including cybersecurity and patch management, to MSPs. This can be a cost-effective way to ensure expert handling of security updates without the need for an in-house IT team [19].

•Leverage Built-in Update Tools: For smaller operations, utilizing the built-in update features of operating systems (e.g., Windows Update) and applications can be a starting point, though these often lack the centralized control and reporting of dedicated solutions [20].

Conclusion: Patch Today, Protect Tomorrow

The notion that small businesses are immune to cyberattacks is a dangerous myth. In an interconnected world, every entity, regardless of size, is a potential target. Unpatched computers represent a critical vulnerability that cybercriminals are actively exploiting, leading to devastating consequences ranging from data breaches and financial ruin to irreparable damage to reputation.

By understanding the risks, learning from past incidents, and diligently implementing patch management best practices, small businesses can significantly enhance their cybersecurity posture. Investing in robust patch management is not an expense; it's an essential investment in the continuity and security of your business. Don't wait for a cyberattack to learn the hard way – patch today, protect tomorrow.