**October 24, 2025 | News**

In today's increasingly digital world, Italy's small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and freelancers also find themselves under the constant threat of cyber attacks. According to recent studies, more than 60% of SMEs in Italy have experienced at least one cyber intrusion attempt in the past 12 months. But what can you do to defend yourself, especially starting with the basics?

## Why Cybersecurity is Essential for SMEs and Freelancers

People often think that cybersecurity is a problem for large companies or government agencies, but the reality is quite different. SMEs and freelance professionals handle a significant amount of sensitive data: client contacts, tax documents, private information. A simple click on a malicious link or phishing email can cause irreparable damage, such as data loss, reputational damage, and legal penalties.

### A Practical Example
Imagine Maria, a freelance graphic designer in Milan, receives a fake invoice via email from a seemingly reputable supplier. Without carefully checking the sender, she clicks on the link in the message and unintentionally installs malware that encrypts all her files. A situation avoidable with a few preventive moves, but one that could cost weeks of work and money for data recovery.

## The Fundamentals of Building an Effective Cyber Defense

Strong Passwords and Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) ## 1.
The first wall of defense is passwords. They must be unique, complex, and updated regularly. For example, instead of using "123456" or "password," combine numbers, uppercase and lowercase letters, and symbols. Always enable dual authentication when possible, which in addition to the password requires a temporary code generated by an app or sent via SMS.

### 2. Constant Software Updates
Updating the operating system, programs, and antivirus software is critical because updates often fix vulnerabilities that can be exploited by hackers. For an SMB, it can be helpful to set up automatic updates or dedicate a monthly day to this control.

### 3. Training and Awareness
Every person in the company or the freelancer himself should learn to recognize suspicious emails, strange links, and abnormal requests, especially those that prompt hasty decisions (such as sending data or payments). There are free online courses and webinars designed precisely to increase this awareness.

## Practical List: Three Immediate Takeaways to Strengthen Cybersecurity

- **Check the sender of each email before clicking** and do not open unknown or suspicious attachments.
- **Use a password manager** such as Bitwarden or LastPass to create and store secure combinations.
- **Regular data backups**: automate copying to an external hard drive or a reliable cloud service, so you can quickly recover files in the event of an attack.

Investing time and resources in these simple actions can mean the difference between a business that continues to grow safely and a digital disaster that puts everything at risk.

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Don't underestimate these signs: in a market where digitization is synonymous with growth, cybersecurity is an indispensable ally. Don't wait for something bad to happen, start protecting your business or work today. Want to learn more about how to improve the digital security of your business? Sign up for our newsletter dedicated to SMEs!