Category: Blog

Imagine waking up one day only to realize that the company you work for has been hacked. Your files are missing, bank accounts are hijacked, and sensitive information is on the loose. Although this sounds like a rare situation, it has become more prevalent in this day and age. While there are some solutions to catching hijackers and cybercriminals, the damage done can be quite extensive. Furthermore, cyber attackers can now attack a company from many different angles. This is why, today more than ever, it is extremely important to understand cybersecurity best practices and to make sure you’re staying as protected as possible. However, cybersecurity isn’t only about protecting your infrastructure and device endpoints. There are other assets that cyber attackers have been focused on — employees. While there are many employees trained in cybersecurity best practices, many employees act carelessly when it comes to staying protected. Employees may not care about protecting the company or they may not know how to best protect their information. Whatever the case may be, ensuring top-notch cyber protection at the workplace can help prevent a disaster. Not only can a hijacking lead to the release of confidential information, but it can also result in the termination of an employee. In this post, we’ll discuss 5 cybersecurity tips for employees.

Keep an Eye on Your Devices

A top method for a cyber attack starts with the theft of important devices. Whether it’s a phone, computer, tablet, or even a notebook, these all can contain valuable information that might be used for a cyberattack. No matter how small your business is, keeping your devices safe is a best practice to follow. Devices such as laptops are very important to keep an eye on, as these can be used to stir up a great deal of confidential information. In addition, if you don’t need a password to enter into your device, it makes it that much easier for a cyberattacker to access very important material. Therefore, it’s always best to keep a close eye on your devices. If you have your devices in a public place, always have them in an arms reach. If you have to step away for a few minutes, take your devices with you. However, watching your stuff doesn’t only pertain to being in public. Even at the workplace, things get stolen and devices get hijacked. Always keep a close eye on your phone, laptop, and other devices. While this mostly pertains to large companies with many employees, small businesses too are also at risk. It’s best practice not to get careless with your devices and to always know where they are.

Practice Proper Web Browsing Techniques

Another popular way for cyberattackers to make their money happens when employees carelessly use the web. While an employee may feel that they’re doing nothing wrong, an attacker may take advantage of their careless mistakes. While there are some obvious threats that you know not to fall for, other threats aren’t so apparent. Keep reading to find out some common threats to be aware of while browsing the web.

Maladvertising

This threat is a type of malicious code that distributes malware through online advertising. This can be hidden within an ad, included with software downloads, or embedded on a web page. What makes this so threatening is that maladvertising can be displayed on any website, even ones thought to be trustworthy.

Social Media Scams

With the explosion of social media in the last 10 years, cyberattackers have been hard at work developing scamming techniques. Whether it’s through click-jacking, phishing techniques, fake pages, or rogue applications, hackers have been very successful with these social media scams. While Facebook is a common platform used for hacking, Twitter also poses many threats. This is because Twitter is both a microblogging site and also a search engine.

Web Browsing Tips

• Don’t click on any ads or links that seem fishy
• Don’t click on links in emails
• Only interact with well-known sites
• Confirm you’re using non-fraudulent sites
• Be cautious with online downloads

Keep Mobile Devices Secure

While you might think that the biggest threat to cyberattacks involves the use of your computer, your mobile devices are also something to pay attention to. With the growing sophistication of cell phones, tablets, and laptops, hackers are chomping at the bit trying to get their hands on any of these devices. Cell phones are basically a mini-computer nowadays and tons of confidential information can be easily assessable on them. This is why mobile security is more important than ever. However, given the small size of these devices, it poses many challenges to stay safe. Since laptops and phones are getting smaller by the day, it’s now harder to keep an eye on these devices, in addition to trying not to lose them. However, there are multiple security measures you can take to ensure that your mobile devices are secure. From security apps to creative passwords, there are numerous things you can do to keep these cyberattackers at bay. Take a look at a few of these solutions below:

• Keep Devices Clean — As with most things in life, a good cleaning is usually beneficial. Same goes for your mobile devices. With so much information on such a small device, it’s vital that you clean up your device from time to time by deleting files and using an antivirus program.
• Setup a Passcode — Sometimes all it takes to stay protected from a cyberattacker is a strong password. This is the first thing that the attacker has to crack, so this is your first line of defense. Make the password unique and difficult to guess.

Keep a Clean Desk

Another tip for staying safe in the workplace involves cleaning your desk. It may sound so simple, but a messy desk has a strong chance of obtaining some important information. Remember that note you got from your boss last month? How about those files that were put on your desk last Tuesday? If you forget about these materials and they contain some confidential information, you could risk a cyberattack. Furthermore, if someone steals something from your messy desk, it can be very difficult to notice. Sometimes days or even months go by before you notice that note is missing or that folder isn’t there anymore. While you’ve gone a long period of time without even knowing these materials went missing, you could already be a victim of a cyberattack. Here are some other common mistakes to avoid:

• Leaving USB drives or phones out in the open
• Writing down usernames and passwords and leaving them on your desk
• Leaving credit cards out in the open
• Forgetting to erase notes
• Leaving confidential papers on your desk for extended periods of time
• Forgetting to lock a cabinet or drawer

Be sure to avoid these mistakes as they can make it that much easier for a cyberattacker to access your important information.

Beware of Phishing Attacks

Phishing is a fraudulent practice that involves emails being sent to entities to induce the exposure of credit card numbers, usernames and passwords, or other valuable information. Attackers may pose to be friends, family, or trusted businesses in order to gain information from an employee. Another tactic that makes these attackers successful is the appearance of authority. They may mention something requested by the CEO or something that involves some of the higher-ups. Since employees never want to disappoint the CEO, falling victim to these attacks is common. While it’s very common for an attacker to try to impersonate someone else, they might take another approach. Sometimes links are embedded into emails that will redirect the employee to a fraudulent web page, or sometimes the attacker might attach a file that can expose confidential information if downloaded. Understanding these different methods used by hijackers can help protect you from a cyber disaster. Take a look at a few other best practices below:

• Verify suspicious email requests by contacting them directly
• Utilize malware and antivirus protection programs
• Check the security of websites
• NEVER reveal personal or financial information via email

While phishing is a common technique used by cyberattackers, understanding how to protect yourself can make you well-prepared for anything that comes your way.

Say Goodbye to Cyberattackers!

Even with the many methods of attack for these cyber-hijackers, there are many things you can do to ensure you’re staying protected. While following the list above will get you well on your way to staying educated on the topic, your employers should also consider training their employees on best practices. Even if it’s done once a year, cyberattack trainings can go a very long way. Try talking to your boss about it in the next meeting or go the extra mile and talk to your whole team about it in a group discussion. Another method of protection involves hiring a company that specializes in cybersecurity. These companies are growing by the second and there are many services available for both large and small businesses. Whether you seek external resources for your cybersecurity efforts or you prefer an in-house approach, cybersecurity is something not to shy away from. Not only can a cyberattack lead to lost revenue and the exposure of confidential information, but it can also send a company burning to the ground. By using the five tips mentioned above, employees can stay safe from the trickery of cyberattackers.

Your employee innocently clicks a link within an email or visits a sketchy website and the next thing you know your digital assets are being held hostage by a cyber attacker. It only takes a few keystrokes to cause potentially irrevocable damage to your systems, and hackers are always looking for new victims. With ransomware, you may be able to regain full access to your files and other digital assets — but at what cost to your business? No size of business is immune to cybersecurity assaults, and ransomware is on the rise in small businesses. In this Ultimate Small Business Owner’s Guide to Ransomware, you’ll learn more about the threat, tips to protect your business and suggestions on how to recover after your business has been infiltrated.

What is Ransomware?

Ransomware is a specific type of malware that results in you losing access to your digital assets until a ransom is paid to the attacker. The assumption is that as soon as you have paid the cybercriminal, you’ll regain access to your information — but there is no guarantee that hackers will unlock your files after payment. The loss of access to your information and business systems can be crippling for your business, sending productivity into a downward spiral and frustrating customers and vendors alike. The faster you or your IT security provider are able to react, the more you will be able to limit the damage done to your organization and reputation due to ransomware. The three primary types of ransomware are:

• Data encryption or fundamentally changing the format of your files
• Programs that hijack your desktop files and require payment to unlock them
• Mobile ransomware that prompts you with payment instructions

Each type of ransomware presents particular challenges for your organization.

Dangers of Ransomware

Aside from losing access to your files, your business may effectively be at a standstill with a widespread ransomware attack. Computer and phone systems, your website, your email servers — all are interconnected and can be vulnerable to this type of aggressive malware. Today’s data and technology platforms are often tied tightly together which expands the reach of a particularly malevolent attack. The effects can be far-reaching, from an inability of customers to place orders or check order status to causing your automated production lines to grind to a halt. Until you are able to regain access to your data and files, your business may be relying only on printed information. This is particularly damaging when you consider how many of today’s offices are going paperless.

How is Ransomware Spread?

Ransomware is spread in a variety of ways, but the most common is through someone clicking a link within an email or visiting an infected website. These back doors to your systems provide hackers with easy access to business-critical systems and information, allowing them to virtually lock the door to your digital assets. Social engineering is another way that unsuspecting staff members are tempted to provide the keys to the virtual kingdom. Hackers are becoming extremely deft at using information stored on social networks to create ads or messages that seem to be from trusted colleagues — yet lead to malware.

Are Small Businesses Vulnerable to Ransomware?

You may think that only larger businesses with deep coffers would be tempting to cybercriminals, but small businesses are considered quite vulnerable and may be ideal targets for a quick attack. Small business owners are often lulled into having a false sense of security thinking that they are too small to be a target. A 2018 data security report by Verizon shows that 58% of malware attack victims were small businesses. Stealing your customer information can be the work of a few hours for a hacker, and these data points are extremely valuable on the dark web. It’s relatively easy for individuals to gain access to the tools that are required to break through basic security measures. It’s crucial for small businesses to stay informed and enhance their security profile in order to protect sensitive competitive and customer information.

How Can I Protect My Small Business from Cyber Attacks?

Protecting your small business from cyber attacks begins with assuming a more aggressive security posture. It’s no longer a matter of simply scanning emails for viruses and adding a firewall. The increasing scope of data breaches means you will need to either invest in internal security infrastructure or work with qualified professionals who specialize in cybersecurity. Protecting your business from ransomware and other cyber attacks requires a range of protective measures, including:

• Staff training on creating adequate passwords and the importance of never sharing passwords
• Limiting data and systems access for unauthorized users
• Thorough review of endpoints, including secure employee and guest WiFi access
• Close monitoring and review of when and how contractors are allowed access to systems
• Maintenance of government regulations and compliance mandates
• Advanced antivirus software, preferably with active monitoring
• Regularly reviewing and enhancing backup and recovery strategies
• Applying software patches and updates in a timely manner

Each of these strategies will take time and effort to implement, and they all work together to help protect your organization from being the target of a ransomware or other type of malware attack.

Recovering After a Ransomware Attack

Understanding the type of ransomware that has been added to your system is the first step in recovery. This will help you or your technology service provider determine the next steps for restoring full system usage. If you planned ahead and have a solid backup and recovery program, this is likely when you’ll begin taking those steps. IT security professionals recommend taking these steps to recover from a ransomware attack:

• Disconnect everything to limit infiltration to unaffected systems
• Take pictures or screen captures of the ransomware screen, including the payment requirements and information
• Begin taking steps for recovery
• Learn more about the specific type of ransomware that is affecting your system
• Determine whether you are able to completely restore your systems from backups

Finally, create a crisis communication strategy that will allow you to provide customers and employees with the information they need to continue working after the attack.

The best option for your business to survive a ransomware attack is to avoid it — but that’s not always possible. Become educated on the dangers of this particular type of malware and how you can prevent it, or you risk becoming yet another statistic in the ongoing fight against cybercriminals.