How would you feel if you opened your local laundromat or deli, only to find that the card payment machine was down and an incomprehensible English warning appeared on the computer screen?

In reality, this kind of thing happens every day somewhere. A type of malware called ransomware locks down entire systems and demands payment to unlock them. What used to be a plot in action movies has now become a reality for local businesses.

One common misconception is that hackers only target large corporations, but the truth is quite the opposite. Research shows that 43 percent of all cyberattacks target small businesses.

Why small shops, you ask? The answer is simple. Large companies have dedicated security teams and substantial budgets, while local shops often have owners who handle everything from accounting to inventory to computer maintenance. Even if they have sturdy security bars, their online defenses are often weak.

With outdated point-of-sale systems, computers that haven't been updated in years, and overlapping Wi-Fi networks for customers and staff, hackers find an open door. Businesses like Korean markets, restaurants, and hair salons, where cash and card payments mix, are particularly vulnerable; if their payment systems are breached, customer card information can easily leak.

It's also worth noting that ransomware attacks are particularly prevalent among small businesses. A staggering 88 percent of cybersecurity incidents affecting small and medium-sized enterprises are related to ransomware, making them even more vulnerable than larger companies.

The bottom line is money. Even if a ransom isn't paid, recovery efforts can cost an average of over $638,536 for a company with 100 to 250 employees. This is a significant burden for most small business owners.

Once breached, the damage is often more than just a financial loss. Statistics show that 19 percent of small businesses that suffer an attack ultimately go bankrupt. That's one in five, so it's not something to dismiss lightly.

In fact, research indicates that four out of ten small business owners believe that a single attack costing $100,000 could force them to close their doors for good. While $100,000 may seem like a lot, when you factor in system recovery costs, lost business, and customer attrition, it can add up quickly.

So, what should you do? It's not anything overly complicated. Start by changing your passwords to something more secure than obvious choices like your customers' birthdays, and enable two-factor authentication as a basic measure. Ensure that payment data is automatically backed up daily, and store those backups in a location completely separate from the internet.

You should also repeatedly remind your employees not to click on strange email links. Nine out of ten incidents start with someone making a single wrong click. If possible, consider looking into cyber insurance, just like you would for car insurance.

You don't necessarily have to spend a lot of money hiring professionals. The Small Business Administration and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency regularly provide free checklists and educational materials for small businesses, so it's a good idea to check them out when you have time.

As you walk through downtown, you'll see shops that are open today and others that have shuttered overnight. While it may seem like they just weren't doing well, it's often the case that a single computer breach led to their closure, making it a very real concern for everyone.

This isn't about setting up an elaborate system. Just start today by changing one password and checking one backup. It's time everyone understood that securing your business isn't just about physical locks anymore.