When people hear the word “hacker,” they often imagine someone in a hoodie, sitting in a dark room, targeting one specific company with a grudge or a mission. But the truth is a lot less dramatic—and way more dangerous.

In reality, hackers don’t usually choose a business to attack. They discover them. Most attacks happen not because someone was specifically targeted, but because a business left a door wide open—and someone (or something) found it.

Think of It Like a Burglar Looking for Unlocked Doors

Imagine someone walking down a street, quietly checking every front door. They’re not trying to break into a specific house—they just want to see if one is unlocked. If they find one, they slip in, take what they want, and leave. Simple, fast, and anonymous.

That’s what hackers do.

But instead of walking down your street, they’re using bots—tiny automated programs that scan the internet 24/7, checking every “digital door” they can find. These bots don’t care what kind of business you are. You could be a bakery, a doctor’s office, or a tech startup. If something is left unlocked—like a server, an email system, or a website with outdated software—they’ll find it.

What’s a Botnet?

Here’s where it gets a little wild (but stay with me—it’s not too complicated).

A botnet is like a swarm of robot bees. Except these bees have been hijacked. Hackers take control of thousands—or even millions—of computers, smart TVs, baby monitors, security cameras, and more. They don’t need high-tech weapons. They just use devices that people forgot to update or secure.

Once these devices are under their control, hackers can use them to do their dirty work. The botnet spreads out across the internet like an army of spies, quietly looking for vulnerabilities in every system it can reach.

Now They’re Using AI, Too

And here’s the next step: AI.

Hackers are now using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to make these botnets smarter. AI helps them:

Recognize patterns in what works and what doesn’t
Prioritize which targets to go after first
Automatically craft phishing emails that sound real
Quickly figure out how to exploit weak points in a system

In other words, they’ve taken an army of robot bees and taught them how to think.

So instead of needing a team of hackers to manually try different techniques, the AI-powered botnet does it all automatically—and fast.

Phishing: The Human Side of the Attack

While bots and AI are scanning and probing for weaknesses, hackers still rely on phishing to trick real people.

Phishing is when someone sends an email or message that looks like it’s from someone you trust—your bank, your boss, or even a co-worker. The message might say something like:

“Hey, can you click this link and update your password?”

Or:

“Here’s that invoice we talked about—please review it.”

The link leads to a fake website. And once you type in your information, the hackers have it.

Phishing is still one of the easiest and most effective ways hackers get in. And with AI, they can write messages that sound more believable than ever—no more broken English or obvious red flags.

Your Business Isn’t a Target—But It Is Exposed

Let’s be clear: Most hackers aren’t coming after your business specifically. They don’t care who you are—they just care whether you’ve left a door unlocked.

This is why even small businesses and nonprofits get hacked. Not because they’re interesting, but because they’re vulnerable.

It’s like leaving your car unlocked in a parking lot. If someone’s going around checking every handle, yours might be the one they open.

How to Protect Yourself (and Your Business)

Keep everything updated. Software updates often include security patches.
Use strong passwords (and a password manager if possible).
Turn on multi-factor authentication (MFA) wherever you can.
Train your team to spot phishing emails.
Use a trusted IT provider who can monitor and secure your systems 24/7.

Final Word: You’re Not Alone—But You Do Need to Lock the Door

Stay Secure, Stay Vigilant,

Robert Paradise

Founder and CEO of Attain Technology

Attain Technology is a comprehensive technology solutions provider specializing in Managed IT, Cybersecurity, Managed Cloud, and BCDR Solutions in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Through dependable and professional IT services, the Attain Technology team adeptly handles IT-related tasks, eliminates the associated hassles, and effectively deploys cybersecurity tools to mitigate potential errors by employees. Businesses can redirect their focus towards serving their clients, confident that their technology needs are well taken care of. Get in touch today for the proactive IT support your business needs to succeed.

Bob Paradise