Hackers do not consider anyone’s feelings or situations when they carry out their attacks. That is why it is not surprising that even during a global health crisis like COVID-19, hackers are still actively looking for ways to break into companies’ IT systems. Now is not the best time to let your company’s guard down. Instead, you have to heighten your awareness and security to make sure you protect all your company’s valuable information.
Prioritise your cybersecurity
Most companies and businesses, especially those whose services were put to a halt in the past few months, may have neglected their cybersecurity, thinking that their business is not active anyway. Maybe they thought it was one way for them to save money. However, this mistake can lead you to more expenses later. It can even bring your business to its potential closure, especially if you fail to handle the situation well.
If you do not want any of these to happen, here are simple ways you can protect your business from cyberattacks.
1. Do not provide your personal information to just anyone
Cybercriminals are taking advantage of the confusion and lack of awareness during these challenging times. CNN even reported a 500 percent increase in phishing attacks since the beginning of the coronavirus outbreak.
Phishing is all about stealing personal information from others. Cybercriminals steal people’s login credentials or credit card numbers and take advantage of this information. Phishing can be a targeted and simple message, usually in email or instant message format, designed to get victims’ usernames, passcodes, and other data that will allow online criminals to access these people’s accounts.
These attackers usually pretend to be your close friend or your bank, asking you to provide specific information. To avoid falling into their trap, remember the following:
- Countercheck everything first before responding.
- Contact your bank or friend using other means.
- Call the numbers the phishing message provided to make sure they are legitimate.
- Make sure to have antispyware and antivirus software to keep all your online operations safe.
2. Use complicated passwords
Never use the same password across various devices and systems. That practice is like inviting hackers to get access to all of your accounts at the same time. Create strong and unique passwords to keep your accounts secure. The longer and more complex your passwords are, the harder for hackers to access your accounts. Use a complex string of characters and add non-letter symbols and numbers to them. Associating meaning to your password characters will help you remember it better.
3. Utilise a VPN when accessing the internet
Hackers can easily access your internet and all your other devices connected to it once they know your IP address. A virtual private network (VPN) can help protect you from these kinds of attacks. VPN is a technology that improves your privacy and security. It conceals your location, hides and stops transmission of your IP address, and protects your online activity from your internet service provider and other people trying to spy on you.
Remember that with the presence of COVID-19, certain restrictions took place that made more communities depend on digital communication to interact with one other. Hackers see this as an opportunity to access people’s and businesses’ private data. Maintaining a high level of cybersecurity is more critical now. Do your best to protect your business during this difficult time.
Protect your business from all forms of cyber threat. FraudWatch International has been safeguarding online brands worldwide since 2003. We specialise in online fraud protection and can help your website, social media accounts, or mobile app combat phishing, malware, or imitation. Contact us today!