BOISE, Idaho — Last week, hackers took over several high-profile Twitter accounts, scamming people out of more than $100,000 in just three hours. So what should businesses and employees learn from the moment to better protect their accounts from this kind of cyber attack?
Twitter reported that cybercriminals were able to successfully hack into their system using social engineering, a tactic that tricks company employees into giving them confidential information and/or special access. This is especially important right now as many people are working from home, meaning our guards may be down and we are having to rely heavily on technology to communicate. Arkose Labs, a fraud prevention platform, reports a 20% spike in cyber fraud in Q1 of 2020, showing how COVID-19 is impacting the digital world.
It’s important to note that businesses of all sizes are being targeted. In fact, small businesses are targeted more frequently because they often don’t have the proper cybersecurity infrastructures in place. But it’s not all about technology. Sometimes your employees can be the biggest security risk. That's why it’s important that businesses train and educate their employees and motivate them to protect the company’s data.
There should also be processes in place, along with checks and balances, to protect against threats. For example, limiting employee access to data and systems they need is key in minimizing damage if a hack were to occur.
Whether you are working in an office or from home, keep these three tips in mind:
· Beware of phishing. Scammers try to trick you into clicking on a link that may result in a security breach. They prey on employees in hopes they will open pop-up windows or other malicious links that could have viruses and malware embedded in them. With just one click, you could enable hackers to infiltrate your organization’s computer network.
· Password Protection: Strong, complex passwords can help stop cyber thieves from accessing company information. If a cybercriminal figures out your password, it could give them access to the entire company’s network. Creating unique, complex passwords is essential. Always opt for two-step verification as well.
· Connect to secure Wi-Fi: Your internet connection should be secure, encrypted, and hidden. If you’re working remotely, you can help protect data by using a virtual private network, if your company has one. Avoid public Wi-Fi networks, which can be risky and make your data vulnerable.
BBB has resources to help your business here. You can also find other cybersecurity measures to take here.
