Top 11 Ways Companies Get Hacked

Over the past year, we’ve seen a dramatic shift in how data breaches unfold. It’s no longer just about high-tech exploits or complex malware. Often, it comes down to old access privileges, overlooked updates, or one unsuspecting click. At MF Telecom Services, we’ve worked closely with businesses of all sizes, and one thing is clear: cyber resilience begins with awareness. Here we share the Top 11 Ways Companies Get Hacked and the fixes you can use.

This article combines the most common ways companies get breached in today’s landscape with practical ways to reduce those risks. Whether you’re leading a team, managing infrastructure, or shaping policy, I hope these insights serve as a clear, useful guide. Staying one step ahead isn’t just smart business—it’s essential.

Top 11 Ways Companies Get Hacked – And the Real-World Fixes That Work in 2025

Cyberattacks have become a daily part of doing business. In 2024, more than 5.5 billion accounts were breached worldwide, with the average incident costing a company $4.88 million. These aren’t abstract threats; they happen through overlooked missteps, common tools, and even trusted partners.

Here are the 11 most common ways companies get breached and how to stay one step ahead in 2025.

1. Phishing Attacks (Now AI-Powered)

Phishing remains the #1 threat vector, now enhanced by AI-generated emails, voice cloning, and hyper-personalised messages. In 2024, these attacks spiked over 4,000%, catching even the most vigilant users off guard.

Fix: Train teams with real-world phishing simulations, upgrade email threat detection, and move to phishing-resistant MFA-like security keys.

2. Compromised Credentials

Attackers often don’t break in, they log in using leaked or reused passwords. 86% of breaches last year involved stolen or weak credentials, typically obtained through credential stuffing or dark web dumps.

Fix: Enforce strong, unique passwords, mandate the use of password managers, and scan continuously for exposed credentials.

3. Exposed Remote Access Points

Open or poorly secured remote interfaces such as RDP, VPNs, or web-based admin panels offer an easy backdoor into company systems. Security reviews often overlook these.

Fix: Limit access to known IP addresses, adopt Zero Trust access models, and run regular scans for exposed remote services.

4. Unpatched Vulnerabilities

Cybercriminals exploit known vulnerabilities, especially on systems that haven’t been updated. Despite the availability of patches, many organisations delay critical fixes, leaving doors wide open.

Fix: Automate patching wherever possible, prioritise vulnerabilities by severity and exploitability, and keep a tight patch management schedule.

5. Shadow IT, Unapproved SaaS Tools — and Misused Admin Access

Unapproved tools like file-sharing apps or browser extensions may seem harmless but often bypass IT policies and handle sensitive data without proper safeguards. In 2024, these untracked tools contributed to 1 in 3 breaches.

The risk increases when users operate their devices with administrator rights, allowing them to install potentially harmful software or integrate apps with corporate systems unchecked.

Fix: Use SaaS discovery tools to monitor app usage, enforce an approved tools list, and ensure users log in with standard accounts, reserving admin privileges for IT tasks only.

6. Insider Threats (Not Always Malicious)

Data leaks can stem from internal actors, not just rogue employees, but also well-intentioned staff making mistakes. These incidents are harder to detect and often more damaging.

Fix: Apply least-privilege access controls, log and review sensitive user activity, and build a security-aware culture through continuous training.

7. Excessive Access and Outdated Permissions

Over time, employees, contractors, and even third-party tools accumulate access they no longer need, and attackers love to exploit these forgotten privileges. In many breaches, access wasn’t gained through hacking, it was already lying around.

Fix: Conduct regular access reviews across all systems, remove unnecessary privileges, and enforce least-privilege principles so users only access what they need, when they need it.

8. Third-party and Supply Chain Breaches

Breaches through vendors are on the rise. In 2024, 98% of organisations had at least one supplier that was breached, and often, attackers used that access to move laterally into their clients’ systems.

Fix: Limit what third parties can access, verify their security controls, and include vendor incidents in your broader breach response plans.

9. Cloud Misconfigurations

Cloud environments are powerful and risky when misconfigured. In 2024, 82% of breached data was stored in the cloud, often exposed through open storage buckets or overly permissive acch3ess settings.

Fix: Run regular cloud audits, enforce encryption by default, and adopt least-privilege access policies for users and apps alike.

10. Social Engineering Beyond Email

Modern social engineering goes well beyond phishing emails. Attackers now manipulate staff through phone calls, fake IT support, LinkedIn impersonation, and even in-person deception.

Fix: Expand training to include offline scenarios, restrict USB and device access where possible, and encourage immediate reporting of suspicious interactions.

11. No Incident Response Plan

Even with strong defences, a breach can still happen. The real damage begins when a company has no plan to respond. Without coordination, communication delays and data loss spiral out of control.

Fix: Develop a documented incident response plan, assign clear roles, and rehearse it regularly with real-world scenarios across technical and non-technical teams.

Final Thought: Breaches Happen Quietly — Prevention Doesn’t Have To

From credential leaks to shadow SaaS, most breaches don’t come through flashy, high-tech hacks, they slip in through everyday oversights. The companies best equipped to manage threats aren’t the ones with the largest security budgets, they’re the ones who prepare proactively, respond quickly, and adapt constantly.

We’re here if you need us. For any business IT support or question regarding cyber security for your organisation, please don’t hesitate to contact us.