5 Cybersecurity Mistakes Mauritian Small Businesses Make (And How to Fix Them)

Introduction

Cyberattacks in Mauritius are increasing every year — and small businesses are the easiest targets.
Most SMEs believe “hackers only attack big companies,” but the truth is the opposite: small businesses are attacked more often because they are less protected.

At Charistech Solution Ltd, we’ve seen the same cybersecurity mistakes repeated across many SMEs. The good news? Each mistake is easy to fix with the right approach.

Here are the 5 most common cybersecurity mistakes Mauritian businesses make — and simple steps to fix them.

1️⃣ Mistake #1 — No Proper Backup or Testing

Many businesses only discover their backup was not working after an attack or hardware failure.

Common issues we see:

• Backups not running daily

• Backups stored on the same device/server

• No Microsoft 365 backup (big risk)

• No monthly restore testing

How to fix it:

• Use a reliable backup solution (Acronis Cyber Protect recommended)

• Enable daily incremental + weekly full backups

• Store a copy offsite or in the cloud

• TEST a restore every month

Why it matters:

Ransomware is powerless if your backups work.

2️⃣ Mistake #2 — Using Traditional Antivirus Instead of EDR

Basic antivirus can only detect known threats.
Modern cyberattacks (especially phishing and malware dropper attacks) easily bypass old antivirus systems.

What SMEs still use:

• Free antivirus

• Outdated signatures

• No central monitoring

• No automated detection

How to fix it:

• Switch to EDR (Endpoint Detection & Response)

• Enable AI-based threat detection

• Monitor endpoints centrally

• Use automatic isolation for infected devices

Why it matters:

EDR reacts in real time — old antivirus cannot.

📘 Our Free 5-Step Cybersecurity Guide is coming next week!
A simple 5-step cybersecurity checklist for Mauritian SMEs.

Stay tuned!

3️⃣ Mistake #3 — Weak Passwords & No MFA

Most breaches in Mauritius come from:

• Weak passwords

• Shared passwords

• No Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

Example:

A single compromised Microsoft 365 password can lead to email hijacking, fraud, and full business shutdown.

How to fix it:

• Enforce unique passwords

• Enable MFA on all accounts

• Use password policies (minimum 12 characters)

• Restrict admin access

Why it matters:

A strong password + MFA blocks 99% of unauthorized access.

4️⃣ Mistake #4 — No Email Security or Anti-Phishing Protection

Phishing is the #1 attack method in Mauritius — and most SMEs rely only on “default” email security.

Common risks:

• Fake invoices

• CEO impersonation

• Supplier fraud

• QR phishing

• Malware attachments

How to fix it:

• Enable advanced email filtering

• Implement SPF, DKIM & DMARC

• Add attachment sandboxing

• Train staff monthly (15 minutes only!)

Why it matters:

One wrong click can infect your entire network.

5️⃣ Mistake #5 — Delayed Updates & Unpatched Systems

Many businesses skip updates because they “interrupt work,” but this leaves the door open to attackers.

Common issues:

• Outdated Windows PCs

• Old server versions

• Unpatched software (Chrome, Adobe, Java)

• No patch management system

How to fix it:

• Enable automatic patching

• Use centralized patch management

• Patch critical updates within 7 days

• Review monthly vulnerability reports

Why it matters:

80% of attacks exploit known vulnerabilities — not new ones.

Conclusion

Cybersecurity doesn’t have to be complicated.
By fixing these 5 mistakes, Businesses can drastically reduce their risk and protect their operations, data, and staff.

At Charistech Solution Ltd, we help businesses secure their systems with modern, affordable, and practical solutions.

✨ Coming Next Week!

We are releasing our Free 5-Step Cybersecurity Guide for Small Businesses — a simple checklist you can apply in under 2 hours.

Stay connected on LinkedIn and Facebook so you don’t miss it.

Stay protected, stay ahead.
— Charistech Solution Ltd