Why Hackers Are Targeting Farms — And How to Stop Them

Farms today run more digital systems than ever before. GPS-guided equipment, grain accounting software, cloud-based records, automated livestock and irrigation controls, and online financial tools are now standard across modern agriculture.

That digital shift has put agriculture squarely in the Top 10 most-targeted industries for cyberattacks — and many producers don’t realize how exposed their operations really are until something goes wrong.

In this episode of the Farm4Profit Podcast, we sit down with Chris Sherman, founder of TechSupport.Farm, to break down why farms are becoming major hacker targets, what types of attacks are happening right now, and the simple steps farmers can take to protect their data, money, and equipment before it’s too late.

🎧 Listen to the full episode here:
👉 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/farm4profit-podcast/id1470546918

Why Hackers Are Targeting Farms

Farms may not think of themselves as tech companies — but hackers do.

Chris explains that modern farm operations check every box attackers look for:

• High-value financial transactions

• Multiple connected systems

• Shared logins across family and employees

• Limited IT oversight

• Time-sensitive operations where downtime is costly

When attackers know a farm can’t afford delays during planting, harvest, or feeding cycles, they gain leverage.

The Most Common Cyber Threats Facing Farms Today

Chris walks through the real-world attacks he sees hitting farm operations of all sizes.

Phishing & Email Scams

Hackers often disguise emails as:

• Invoices from suppliers

• USDA or FSA notices

• Dealer updates

• Grain contracts or settlement sheets

One click can hand over login credentials or financial access.

Ransomware Attacks

These attacks lock farmers out of:

• Grain accounting software

• Field maps and yield data

• GPS guidance files

• Entire farm servers

Access is only restored after paying a ransom — often in cryptocurrency.

Extortion & Bitcoin Demands

Some attacks don’t even lock files — they threaten to release sensitive data unless paid.

Equipment & System Infiltration

Connected systems like:

• Grain dryers

• Feed mills

• Irrigation controls

• Livestock automation

are increasingly becoming entry points for cybercriminals.

Where Your Farm Data Actually Lives

One of the biggest misunderstandings Chris clears up is where farm data lives and who controls it.

Farm data may be stored:

• On equipment displays

• Inside cloud platforms

• Within dealer or software systems

• On local computers or servers

Understanding data ownership, platform security, and privacy policies is critical to knowing what’s protected — and what isn’t.

Practical Cybersecurity Steps Every Farm Can Start Today

The good news? Most farms don’t need expensive systems to dramatically improve security.

Chris outlines simple, effective actions any operation can implement immediately:

Strengthen Access & Passwords

• Use passwords 12+ characters long

• Stop reusing passwords across platforms

• Use a password manager

Turn On Two-Factor Authentication

• Adds a second layer of protection beyond passwords

• Stops most attacks even if passwords are stolen

Lock Down Email Security

• Enable spam and phishing filters

• Be skeptical of unexpected attachments or links

Separate Your Networks

• Keep home WiFi separate from business and equipment networks

• Limit exposure if one network is compromised

Control Login Access

• Track who has access to what systems

• Remove logins when employees or vendors no longer need access

Keep Offline Backups

• Store critical files offline

• Protect against ransomware and system failures

Train Your People

• Teach family members and employees how to spot digital red flags

• Most attacks succeed through human error, not tech failure

Real Stories From the Field

Chris shares real-world examples from farms he’s helped:

• Scams that worked — and why

• Close calls caught just in time

• Patterns of mistakes repeated across operations

These aren’t edge cases — they’re happening every day across agriculture.

Cybersecurity Is Now Part of Farm Management

Whether you operate a large commercial farm or a small family operation, cybersecurity is no longer optional.

Protecting your data, your equipment, and your money is now part of running a profitable, resilient farm business.

This episode gives you the awareness, tools, and confidence to stay ahead of threats — and keep hackers out of your operation.

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