Are your Staff Unknowingly Opening the Door to Hackers?

As cyber attacks grow more targeted and covert, Australian businesses face a rising risk—not from external hackers alone, but from inside their own offices. Vidit Sehgal, CEO of V4 IT, warns that everyday staff computer misuse is a major cause of breaches.

“Many think hackers use high-level cyber warfare, but often they gain access because a staff member clicks a malicious link or ignores security warnings,” Sehgal explains. Using work devices for personal browsing, connecting to unsecured WiFi, or skipping antivirus updates opens the door to cyber threats.

Often, hackers infiltrate quietly through a single phishing email or fake update, then lie dormant while stealing sensitive data. This “silent sabotage” can go unnoticed for weeks or months, allowing hackers to poach customers, redirect transactions, or commit fraud without detection.

Signs of a breach include slow computers, unexpected crashes, suspicious pop-ups, files disappearing, and unauthorised password changes. Unusual emails sent from company accounts or webcam lights flickering on by themselves also indicate compromise.

Sehgal stresses that staff behaviour is crucial. Weak passwords, failure to log out of cloud tools, or downloading unauthorised software can all put a business at risk. “Most staff aren’t malicious; they’re just unaware. In cybersecurity, ignorance is as dangerous as intent.”

If a breach is suspected, businesses should immediately disconnect affected devices and call in an IT expert for a thorough onsite check. Attempting to fix malware alone can worsen damage, as some malicious software activates destructive triggers when removed incorrectly.

Prevention requires strong leadership: clear IT policies, staff education, and regular security audits. “Your staff are your first line of defence—or your weakest link,” Sehgal warns. Regular professional computer health checks are one of the smartest and easiest investments to stop silent breaches before they become disasters.

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