142. How to Stop Hackers in Their Tracks For Small Businesses with Bryan Altimas
Want help building a brand strategy that keeps clients coming back? Work with Deirdre to craft your uncopyable brand, offers, messaging, and experiences that make your growth inevitable.—--Most small-business owners tell themselves they’re “too small to hack” or they’ll get to security “later.” But one rushed click, one reused password, or one fake “invoice” email can freeze your accounts, lock your files, and wipe out months of work.In this episode of the Master Your Business Podcast, I sit down with cybersecurity consultant Bryan Altimas to unpack the simplest, lowest-cost moves that block the vast majority of attacks, no tech degree required.Bryan shares jaw-dropping stories (including a CEO who nearly wired £100,000 after a single click), eye-opening realities about phishing and ransomware, and practical ways to protect your business, your clients, and your reputation.If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by “cyber stuff,” this episode is your permission slip to stop procrastinating and start protecting, without spending a fortune.We cover:✔️ The 3 biggest mistakes owners make (password reuse, no 2FA, no EDR)✔️ Phishing vs. ransomware, what actually happens after one bad click✔️ Passkeys (finally!) and why they beat even long passwords✔️ The Apple vs. Windows myth, why both are targets now✔️ How AI makes scams look real (and a simple safe-word protocol to beat voice clones)✔️ Backups that actually save you and why “the cloud” isn’t oneHighlights[02.26] Why cyber feels intimidating (and why it doesn’t have to)[03.45] The 90s origin story: weak passwords, early breaches, hard lessons[05.40] Who’s attacking whom? Nation-states vs. organised crime[07.08] Case study: a car post → spoofed email → near £100,000 payment[14.39] Mistake #1: Reusing passwords across apps (and how to stop)[15.24] Password managers share access, not passwords[18.50] Mistake #2: No 2FA - why authenticator apps beat SMS[19.28] Passkeys > passwords: say yes when offered[20.57] Phishing mechanics: urgency, fake logins, and browser malware[23.02] Ransomware in plain English: exfiltration + encryption + extortion[24.42] Cyber resilience: updates, policies, culture, and quick wins[31.25] AI scams, deepfakes, and the “safe-word” protocol[41.30] Backups that work (primary cloud + secondary cloud + offline)[42.20] Feeling overwhelmed? Start with this 6-step checklistAbout Bryan AltimasBryan Altimas is a cybersecurity and technology-risk consultant and the Managing Director of Riverside Court Consulting. With decades in cyber and data protection, including senior work in Big Four consulting, Bryan helps founders, leaders, and teams build practical, resilient security that protects what matters most.🔗 Connect with Bryan Altimas💼 Website: Riverside Court Consulting💻 LinkedIn: Bryan Altimas⭐️ Rate, Review & Follow The Master Your Business Podcast5-star reviews help this podcast reach more experts ready to scale bold, meaningful businesses.💼 Want Deirdre’s help building a business that scales beyond social media?
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