Everyone is at risk of cybertheft.  The size of your company doesn’t matter. The size of your bank account doesn’t matter.

Cybertheft is the fastest growing crime in the U.S. according to a report from CNBC. By 2021, cybercrime is projected to cost the world more than $6 trillion yearly as reported by Cybersecurity Ventures.  Forbes reported that cybercriminals are not just going after the Fortune 500 companies that you read about in the headlines, they are now targeting small to medium-sized companies. The best defense and the greatest weakness in protecting your company against cyber-attacks are your employees. Creating and implementing a strong cyber policy plus continuously training your employees can be the difference.

Here are some practical suggestions to protect your self from cybertheft

• Never open attached files, or click on links unless you verify the sender’s identity. This applies to emails, text messages, social media messages, and all other forms of electronic communication.
• Even if the sender appears to be legitimate, the criminal may have hijacked the account. Use extreme caution when you receive questions regarding account details or contact information.
• Use strong unique passwords and change them regularly.  Never share passwords.  Never write down.  Never save passwords in your web browser.
• Keep everything up to date. Many software updates are intended to protect you against newly identified or emerging vulnerabilities.
• Keep your mobile devices secured requiring a password, fingerprint, or facial recognition to unlock
• Make sure to keep your home Wi-Fi password protected. Use a virtual private network.
• Enable multi-factor authentication: logging in not only requires a password, but also a separate form of verification.
• Stay informed on different types of attacks. Example: phishing.

Phishing is when an attacker poses as a trusted individual attempting to trick the victim. Here are some common signs of phishing:

• Generic greeting (example: “Dear coworker”) vs identifying you by name
• A dramatic sense of urgency associated with the request
• Any type of threat associated with the request

The types of attacks are ever-changing and your defensive playbook needs to continuously adjust. Establishing, monitoring, and amending a cybersecurity policy while simultaneously educating employees is a must in today’s world. The time to get serious about cybersecurity is now.

We are serious about keeping information secure and we can help you decrease your chances of being compromised.  Contact us today to discuss.

By Jason Humienny