CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Companies in the Carolinas are increasingly having to protect themselves against “brute force” cyber attacks.

Brute force attacks identify an IP address, then attempt to gain access by using a virtual dictionary of possible usernames, passwords, and login information.

Experts say small businesses are especially susceptible.

“Small to medium size business can often choose their own security policy,” CEO of Sterling Technology Solutions Tom Blanchard Said. “And they may have chosen to have password requirements reduced for convenience purposes so they can remember their password more easily; rather than a long lengthy password that would be more difficult to hack.

A general rule of thumb is the longer a password, the safer it is. Companies should also have maximum login attempts before a user gets locked out.