What Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky Businesses Need to Know
Imagine opening your inbox to a chilling message:
“I know your password. I’ve hacked your webcam. If you don’t pay, I’ll expose you.”
Your heart races. The message even includes an old password you recognize. It feels personal. It feels real. But here’s the truth:
You’re being scammed — and this playbook is more common than most small businesses realize.
What Is Sextortion? A Common Cybersecurity Threat for Florence KY and Greater Cincinnati Businesses
This type of cybercrime is called sextortion phishing — a form of online extortion that uses fear and shame to pressure victims into paying a ransom.
Here’s how the cyber scam typically works:
- The attacker sends you a threatening email claiming they’ve hacked your device or webcam.
- They may list a real password you’ve used — often obtained from a public data breach, not an actual hack.
- The goal is simple: trick you into believing the threat is real so you’ll send payment (often in Bitcoin).
How to Protect Your Business from Phishing Scams in Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky
If you or your employees receive one of these emails, don’t panic. Do this instead:
- Visit HaveIBeenPwned.com
- See if your email or passwords have been leaked in known data breaches.
- Change any exposed passwords immediately
- Use long, complex passwords — 15+ characters is the gold standard.
- Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
- This alone can stop most account takeovers in their tracks.
- Use a password manager
They store, encrypt, and auto-fill your logins — making security easy. - Adopt passkeys when available
These next-gen login tools offer secure, phishing-proof authentication.
Why Local Business Cybersecurity in Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky Can’t Be Ignored
Cybercriminals don’t discriminate based on size — and businesses in Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky are increasingly targeted.
You may not have a massive IT team, but that doesn’t mean you’re defenseless.
Get a Free IT Security Audit (Before You Need It)
At CMIT Solutions of Cincinnati & NKY, we help local businesses stay ahead of threats like phishing, ransomware, and email scams. Our team provides:
- Dark web monitoring (to detect breached passwords early)
- Cybersecurity training for your staff
- Network security audits and vulnerability assessments
- 24/7 managed IT and remote support
Let us perform a FREE security audit to identify your risk before the scammers do.
Or if you’re just getting started, download our free eBook:
“Local Owners, National Strength” — designed to give you immediate, actionable insights.
Don’t let digital bullies push you around.
Whether you’re in Florence, Covington, Crestview Hills, or Cincinnati, CMIT Solutions is here to help.
Request Your Free IT Audit Now
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