It is Cyber Monday and the biggest tech sale of the year is upon us. Cyber Monday offers a second chance to secure more of those Black Friday deals. It is, however, important to note that hacking is seasonal and that hackers wait for periods such as the festive season to launch cyber attacks and compromise a business's data and network, according to a report by Fast Company.
Online purchase fraud increased during last year's festive season, and with the shift to online shopping as a result of COVID-19, the rate of cyber attacks is expected to increase. Cyber attacks are a major problem and are one of the side effects of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
There is a misconception that only big corporations are prone to cyber attacks, however, any business that keeps a record of consumer information can also be affected.
Cyber attack techniques to watch
There are various ways cybercriminals can attack your business. Here are three common ways you should take note of by Mitnicksecurity:
Social Engineering
With social engineering, the hacker tries to get a user to share personal information by pretending to be someone they know or a reputable business/source. Social engineering is the art of manipulating people into divulging information and can be done through cell phones and many other methods.
Phishing attacks
Phishing attacks commonly happen over email, websites and attachments. A hacker sends a user a message that looks like it's been sent by someone they know or a business they are familiar with. The message will ask the user to either click on a link or download a document that is infected with malware.
Malware injecting devices
Criminals can use certain hardware, such as a USB stick, USB cable and mouse cords to sneak in malware that can affect the whole company.
To ensure that your company and client information is safe during the festive season, we look at ways to beef up your cyber security during this time.
Ways to ensure your business is cyber-safe during the festive season
Get secure hardware and firewall
Obtain secure hardware and two-step verification software to keep your data safe and secure. Two-step verification adds a layer of security for your business and is good for businesses that hold a lot of client information. To ensure the safety of your client's information, also require them to complete a two-step verification process as well.
Keep your IT staff in action during the holidays
Hackers are busy when consumers are busy, and this is mostly during the festive season. Keep your IT staff on high alert during this time and ensure that they are protecting your business and your clients during the festive season by asking them to continuously check for any suspicious activities.
Get a VPN (Virtual Private Network)
VPN stands for virtual private network and a VPN provides you with privacy by creating a private network separate from a public internet connection. A VPN provides an extra layer of security for your business, especially for businesses dealing with confidential information.
Keep all software updated and install antivirus software
PC software updates are important as they equip your business with the necessary and updated tools to keep your data safe that previous software may not have had. Always update your PC and install antivirus software as these also help to protect you from cyber-attacks.
Cyber security awareness training
Train your employees to be on high alert for cyber attacks. Ensure that all employees can spot a possible cyber attack and that they report it to your IT department. Sometimes, an attack is orchestrated on innocent employees who were not aware that they were being hacked. Ensuring that your whole team is alert can save you a lot of time and money.
Hire an expert
An IT professional will know what to do to protect your business and your data such as what to do when a hacker tries to hack the business system. They can take care of all your cyber security requirements leaving you to focus on what you are best at - running your business.
Find Your Cyber Security Experts Here
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