It’s not just big tech firms or government agencies anymore—April 2025 made one thing painfully clear: everyone is fair game in the world of cybercrime. From Native American communities to global retailers, no sector was safe. If you’re a small business owner thinking “this would never happen to us”—you might want to think again.
Let’s break down five cyber attacks from last month that grabbed headlines—and what they tell us about the direction cyber threats are heading.
1. The Lower Sioux Indian Community: A Target Far from Random
On April 2, a devastating ransomware attack hit the Lower Sioux Indian Community in Minnesota, disrupting healthcare, casino, and government systems. The culprit? A group called RansomHub, who’ve been making waves with custom malware designed to disable top-tier security tools (their code name for it: EDRKillShifter—yes, it’s as nasty as it sounds).
This wasn’t just about stolen data. It was about shutting down essential community services—healthcare access, local government, even daily business operations. Imagine waking up to find your town’s entire infrastructure frozen. That’s the level of chaos we’re talking about.
2. PoisonSeed: The Email You Really Shouldn’t Click
April 4 delivered a masterclass in modern phishing. A campaign dubbed PoisonSeed hijacked accounts at major platforms like Mailchimp, HubSpot, and Zoho to distribute fake emails containing crypto seed phrases.
Why does this matter if you’re not in crypto? Because it shows how even legitimate marketing tools—platforms your business might rely on—can become weapons if compromised. When trust is broken at the source, your clients won’t know what to believe.
3. Oregon DEQ: When Environmental Protection Goes Offline
On April 9, Oregon’s Department of Environmental Quality had to pull the plug on its own network after a cyber incident forced a complete shutdown. While few details have been released, the impact was immediate and disruptive.
This kind of attack on a state agency shows how fragile public infrastructure can be—and by extension, how exposed anyone in government contracts or logistics could become as collateral.
4. City of Abilene: Small City, Big Problems
April 21 brought trouble to Abilene, Texas. City systems were forced offline, halting credit card transactions and basic municipal functions. Residents had to revert to cash and paper checks—yes, like it was 1993.
Even a midsize city like Abilene isn’t immune. If you’re a business that interacts with local government systems (permits, payments, licensing), your operations could get sideswiped by something you didn’t even cause.
5. Marks & Spencer: Retail Chaos, Courtesy of Scattered Spider
On the same day, Scattered Spider, a well-known cybercrime group, struck the UK retail giant M&S. Customers couldn’t pay with cards, use gift cards, or even complete online orders. The disruption was public, frustrating, and expensive.
It’s a reminder that the customer experience is a front line for cybersecurity. One broken system can destroy trust and lose sales—fast.
So… What Now?
These aren’t isolated incidents. They’re warnings. Whether you’re running a contracting firm, a medical office, or a family-owned retail shop, cybersecurity is not optional—and the threats aren’t just reserved for the Fortune 500.
At Data Safe Group, we help small businesses get ahead of these risks. From managed cybersecurity solutions to staff training and 24/7 support, we’re your tech safety net—before something breaks.
Need to tighten up your defenses? Let’s talk. Schedule a free security consult with our team today.