Cyberattacks are costing UK businesses more than £10,000 on average per incident, according to Uswitch Broadband. Online threats are very evidently becoming worse as more people work from home or use public Wi-Fi. The risks have grown since remote and hybrid working took off in 2020, with hackers targeting less secure connections.
Even the government had reported that 43% of UK businesses and 30% of charities were hit by cyberattacks in the past year. The rise in attacks has been linked to the increase in hybrid working. The Office for National Statistics reports that 28% of working adults in the UK worked hybrid between January and March 2025, often connecting from places like cafés or co-working spaces.
Uswitch Broadband said this change in working habits has created a serious problem for security. Broadband expert Max Beckett explained that “unlike secure office networks, many home or public connections lack encryption, firewalls, and monitoring, making them far easier for cybercriminals to exploit.” He added that simple steps such as updating firmware, using strong passwords, and avoiding public Wi-Fi without a VPN can make a big difference in protecting company data.
Why Are Unsecured Networks Such A Problem?
An unsecured broadband network is an internet connection without proper security. Max Beckett said this “can mean no password, a weak password, or a lack of encryption, allowing anyone nearby to connect and intercept data.” Outdated router firmware also makes a network vulnerable to intrusion.
The problem is especially dangerous for small businesses and remote workers. Beckett warned that “a single breach can lead to financial loss, reputational damage, and potential legal trouble under UK GDPR.” The lack of strong protections at home or in shared spaces has made it easier for criminals to access sensitive information such as passwords and financial data.
Cybersecurity experts have mentioned time and time again that while businesses invest heavily in secure office networks, many overlook the personal connections used by staff. This gap has made remote workers a key target for attacks. As a result, cybercrime has become a costly and continuing issue for businesses of every size.
How Can Workers Protect Their Networks?
Uswitch Broadband’s Max Beckett shared a number of practical tips during Cyber Security Awareness Month to help people reduce their risk. He advised users to start with their Wi-Fi setup. “Securing your Wi-Fi is simpler than you might think,” he said. He recommended removing personal details from the broadband name, setting a strong password, and confirming that the network uses WPA2 or WPA3 encryption.
More from News
- What Does UK Consumers’ Growing Trust In AI Mean For Businesses?
- Databricks And OpenAI Sign $100 Million Deal: What Does It Mean For Enterprises?
- Snapchat Through The Years: How The Social Media App Became What It Is Today
- Meta Will Be Using Your AI Chatbot History To Target Ads
- What Is The Government’s Digital Hospital Plan?
- You Can Now Make Direct Purchases Through ChatGPT
- Are AI Chatbots Being Tricked Into Giving Away Dangerous Information?
- China Launches New K Visa To Attract Global Tech Talent
He also recommends that workers are to use a VPN when connecting from public places. Public Wi-Fi may be convenient, but it allows hackers to intercept data more easily. “A VPN creates a secure, encrypted connection between your device and the internet, making it far harder for hackers to see your activity or steal information,” said Beckett.
Another easy step is to keep devices updated. Beckett said that “hackers constantly look for weaknesses in software, and updates patch these vulnerabilities.” Turning on automatic updates means users always have the latest protections. Regular updates, he explained, are one of the most effective defences against attacks.
Lastly, Beckett brought up the need for strong passwords. This is spoken about a lot and may sound unimportant, but it really is a big problem among online users.
“A strong password remains one of the simplest and most effective ways to protect yourself and your business,” he said. Hackers use automated tools to test thousands of combinations in seconds. Weak passwords such as “123456” can be cracked instantly. Beckett said a good password should mix uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers and symbols, especially for Wi-Fi networks that connect multiple devices.
Is Hybrid Work Making Cybercrime More Expensive?
The adjustment to hybrid work has given employees more flexibility but has also created new risks for businesses. Many workers now use personal laptops and connect through home routers that are rarely updated. When these connections are unsecured, the entire company becomes more exposed to cyberthreats.
Uswitch Broadband said cyberattacks now cost businesses an average of more than £10,000 per incident. The financial hit can be much higher for small businesses that lack the resources to recover quickly. Losses can include stolen data, downtime and the cost of rebuilding systems.
Remote working is a norm now, so the risks that come with it are going to be here all the time. As Beckett said, “securing your broadband isn’t optional; it’s essential for protecting your work.” With 43% of businesses hit in the past year, the cost of poor security is really being shown here. Many companies need to consider how better protection at home could mean saving thousands of pounds in the long run.
