How Small Craft Businesses Can Stay Secure Online

Running a small craft business, whether as a painter, artisan, or workshop owner, is hard work. While juggling client orders, keeping track of invoices, and managing social media accounts, you’re also responsible for handling sensitive information such as customer names, addresses, phone numbers, and payment details, all of which are valuable to cybercriminals.

At the same time, your small business may create a false sense of security, making you believe that no hacker would be interested in compromising it.

Why Hackers Target Your Small Craft Business?

It’s simple. They know you lack a dedicated IT department or complex defenses. This makes you attractive as a target. Criminals can either target you via a phishing email to compromise your devices via ransomware, blocking access to all your customers' orders and projects, or take over your social media account to scam your followers and potential buyers.

The Biggest Cyber Risks for Craft Businesses

1. Phishing and fake invoices – Hackers often send convincing emails to trick you into sharing login details or downloading malware.
2. Weak or reused passwords – A single compromised account can give attackers access to your email, payment system, order platform, or social media accounts.
3. Outdated software and devices – Unpatched systems and tools make it easy for attackers to compromise your business
4. Customer data exposure – Stolen contact information, payment details, or photos of commissioned work can harm both your clients and your reputation.
5. Social media hijacking and impersonation – Hackers may take over your Facebook or Instagram page, or create fake accounts posing as you to trick your customers into sending money or sharing personal details.

Here’s an example of a phishing email targeting your craft shop on a platform like Etsy

A hacked Etsy account could lead to unauthorized listings, stolen payouts, and messages to your customers from scammers pretending to be you.

A common scam might look like this:

Subject line: Important: Your Etsy account will be suspended in 24 hours!
Message: Dear Seller, we detected unusual activity in your Etsy shop. To avoid account suspension, please verify your account immediately by clicking the link below.
[Fake verification button]

The link usually leads to a fake login page designed to steal your username and password.

Simple Steps to Protect Your Business

• Secure your accounts with strong passwords and MFA to keep hackers and malicious individuals out. If you’re using global online marketplaces like Etsy and Shopify, make sure you always log in via the official website and not through links in unsolicited emails and messages.
• Update your apps and devices regularly to close down known vulnerabilities.
• Back up client files, invoices, and design drafts so you won’t lose them to ransomware.
• Monitor your social media presence to spot and report fake accounts impersonating your brand. Report them immediately and notify your customers.
• Train yourself and your team to recognize suspicious emails and fake partnership offers.
• Stay on-platform and never accept payments or communication outside the online market system/personal website, no matter how convincing the request.
• Rely on a security solution that gives you full protection without requiring technical expertise.

How Bitdefender Helps Craft Businesses Stay Safe

If you want one security toolset that covers the everyday risks facing craft businesses—malware, phishing scams, web threats, and leaked-credential alerts, Bitdefender Ultimate Small Business Security is built for you.

It provides advanced protection that stops attacks before they disrupt your shop, plus email and phishing security to block fake invoices and malicious partnership offers. Your sensitive information—customer payment details, order records, or design files—is protected with digital identity and data safeguards, while scam-detection tools help you spot threats in real time. And because it’s designed for very small teams, you can roll out protection across your devices (and those of any collaborators) quickly and easily—no IT department required.

Stay focused on your craft and let Bitdefender keep your business secure.