Cybersecurity Awareness Month: Modern Threats Every Business Needs to Know

Each October, Cybersecurity Awareness Month serves as a reminder that the digital landscape is constantly evolving, and so are the tactics used by cybercriminals. This year, the focus is clear: social engineering is the new front line of defense. Two recent attack trends, Payroll Pirates and FileFix, demonstrate just how far threat actors will go to exploit human trust, bypass technical safeguards, and profit from unprotected systems.

At Standley Systems, we’re committed to helping businesses stay informed, protected, and resilient. Here’s what business leaders and IT teams need to know.

The “Payroll Pirates” Are After Employee Paychecks

Microsoft recently warned about a hacking group known as Storm-2657, also referred to as the Payroll Pirates. Their goal? To take over employee accounts in HR systems and reroute paychecks to accounts they control. These attacks have primarily targeted universities so far, but any organization that utilizes HR or payroll platforms (such as Workday or similar SaaS tools) could be at risk.

How the Scam Works:

• Hackers send phishing emails that look like normal work messages.

• Victims are tricked into entering their usernames, passwords, or even MFA codes.

• Once inside, attackers change direct deposit details to their own bank accounts.

• They even set up email filters to hide alert messages about those changes.

How to Protect Your Business:

• Turn on multi-factor authentication (MFA) and make sure it’s phishing-resistant.

• Audit your HR and payroll accounts often for unexpected changes.

• Educate employees to double-check links before logging in anywhere.

• Have a response plan in place so you can act fast if a breach occurs.

From ClickFix to FileFix: A Sneaky New Kind of Phishing

Another fast-growing scam involves attacks called ClickFix and FileFix. These are social engineering tricks that trick users into accidentally running malicious commands on their own computers.

How It Works:

• A fake website claims you need to “verify” or “open a file.”

• It tells you to copy and paste a path into File Explorer (on Windows).

• That path secretly contains hidden code that runs when you press Enter.

• The code can install malware, steal data, or grant hackers access to your device.

Some of the newest FileFix attacks even use a method called cache smuggling, where the malware hides in your browser’s cache (temporary storage) so antivirus tools can’t easily detect it.

Why It’s Dangerous:

These scams look completely legitimate, often pretending to be Microsoft, Fortinet, or other trusted brands. They don’t rely on downloads or attachments, which makes them hard for traditional security tools to block.

How to Stay Safe:

• Never copy or run commands from a website or email.

• Keep your security software up to date.

• Use email protection tools that block phishing pages, even when they look like Microsoft links.

• Regularly train your team on how to recognize suspicious messages.

Protecting Your Business Starts with People

These new scams highlight an important truth: the biggest security risk often isn’t your technology, it’s human behavior. Hackers rely on curiosity, urgency, and trust to get past even the best security tools.

Here’s what Standley Systems recommends:

• Regular cybersecurity training for all employees.

• Strong, layered defenses that include MFA, email filtering, and endpoint protection.

• Frequent reviews and assessments to catch vulnerabilities early.

• A clear incident response plan so your team knows what to do if something happens.

Cybersecurity Awareness Month is a reminder that protecting your business is everyone’s responsibility. The threats may evolve, but awareness and smart habits go a long way toward keeping your company safe.

At Standley Systems, we help businesses strengthen their security, from managed IT services to advanced cybersecurity solutions. If you’d like to make sure your systems and people are prepared, our team is here to help.