Nobody has likely had it easy lately, especially business owners who have been dealing with a lot of stress. The security of your data, however, must still always be at the top of your list of business-related considerations, even though these extra anxieties consuming a lot of time and energy.
Despite this, the majority of business owners are not aware that the fast expanding number of cyber threats is one of the greatest everyday threats they face, particularly in light of the Covid-19 outbreak. The modern workplace's dynamic digital environment serves as the driving force behind this, since technology improvements also give rise to more sophisticated cyberattack techniques.
In order to target corporate owners when they are most susceptible, cybercriminals have taken advantage of the general public's and, more significantly, corporate owners' attention to the Coronavirus outbreak.
Regardless of the sector your firm works in, your IT system will undoubtedly hold the key to your success. It contains all of your company's necessary tools, sensitive data, communication channels, and operational elements. It is, however, being attacked! Cybercriminals will do whatever it takes to get their hands on your data.
Small businesses are not risk-free
You may think that your business is safe because "you aren't worth the effort," attacks are still possible even if your company is small. Contrary to popular assumption, being small makes you seem like a more enticing target since people assume you would lack the required financial resources, technical infrastructure, and defences. Would you rather go after a small organisation that is woefully unprepared and has little or nonexistent defences, or would you rather take the chance of failing in an attack on a large organisation with powerful defences? So if anything you need to be extra vigilant, as a small business, of making sure you have adequate defences in place.
The Email Security Hazards
One of the few constants in the world of technology today is email. Email has a long and distinguished history as the pinnacle of commercial communication, despite the fact that there are currently more efficient alternatives.
Cybercriminals target specific user accounts and use deception to coerce people into giving up access to or giving up control of corporate funds by taking advantage of our reliance on email and our ignorance of the potential issues that can arise from it.
It can be very difficult to distinguish a malicious email from a legitimate one these days. Let's examine two of the most popular phishing schemes, in which online attackers pose as other organisations and attempt to persuade their victim to provide personal information.
Masked as a brand or company
Even though this type of assault has long been common, it has recently grown significantly in popularity, perhaps as a result of the pandemic. The biggest and most elaborate impersonation attack of the pandemic was directed against HM Revenue & Customs. Cybercriminals preyed on the desires and fears of the populace by luring their target with tax incentives and assistance funds—which many people during the outbreak were in desperate need of.
Masked as a company employee or director
This strategy is still one of the main ways cybercriminals effectively conduct cyberattacks, albeit being less common.
It's a risky move, but given how crafty hackers are, it might also be one of the best. Criminals posing as the finance director have carried out online attacks on significant organisations. One technique to accomplish this is to send an email to the financial team that looks to be from the CFO's personal mailbox asking for money to be transferred to an account. If they are willing to accept payment, why wouldn't you, especially if the email contains a full "E" signature? That is not the fault of your staff because anyone lacking the necessary training would fall for the email if it had the requisite "E" signature and seemed to be from a reliable source.
Ransomware – The dangers
Malware, or harmful software, is all over the internet, and ransomware in particular is very dangerous. Ransomware seeks to prevent you from accessing data by encrypting your files with a private key that only the online attacker has. Your data is stolen by the cybercriminal, who then demands a ransom (hence the name Ransomware).
We help San Francisco businesses leverage technology for maximum reward
Do you need any help with your business’ security? Operating from the heart of the San Francisco Bay area, our multi-talented, 20-strong team has the skills and experience required for the most ambitious projects. Our strategy-driven IT support is guided by our extensive experience helping organisations in some of the most technically challenging and compliance-laden sectors, with a desire to allay operational challenges, address regulatory hurdles and overcome commercial constraints central to everything solution we implement. Get in touch today, and find out how proactive, strategic IT support from Centarus could transform your business.
