Tag Archives: #Phishing

What Is Social Engineering and How Can It Affect Your Business?

social engineering
Cybersecurity, Phishing, Security, Technology, , , , , , ,

Terms like phishing and malware have become very common terms these days because of their widespread use online. Did you know that these activities are but a small part of a much bigger operation known as social engineering?

Definition of Social Engineering

The term might be new but the practice has been going on for centuries. It’s the infiltration of something secure, intending to acquire information or secure access through cunning means. With the use of modern technology, social engineering is now possible with the victims not even knowing. If you are caught unprepared, as a result, this could potentially lead to the downfall of your business.

External Threats in Social Engineering

Businesses these days rely heavily on technology across all operations and as a result, it makes our life easier. This gives social engineers vast opportunities to trick people into providing all sorts of information, such as the following.

Phishing

Phishing is by far the most prevalent form of social engineering attack. It is a very straightforward kind of trickery, and that simplicity is also the reason why it is so effective. Through an authentic-looking email, the hacker would take victims to websites that look real and ask them to log in, which many people would do without a second glance. Just like that, you would just as well be giving the hackers the keys to your network.

Spear Phishing

This kind of social engineering attack is a highly targeted version of phishing. It is directed at specific victims and involves a great deal of preparation, making use of contacts and references very familiar to the targeted victim, making the scam almost imperceptible.

Baiting

Just as the term suggests, this strategy is all about enticing the victim to fall for the bait. There are many approaches to this, like telling them they won something then asking to click on a link to claim the prize, or letting them know that their computer has been infected and again, getting them to click on a link that will supposedly fix the problem.

Internal Threats in Social Engineering

Once a hacker is in the system, there are countless ways that they can steal information or wreak havoc on your business. So getting their foot in the door is of the utmost priority for many of these devious social engineers.

Doing this physically is not as difficult as it might seem. One of the commonly used methods is tailgating or entering the premises on the pretense that they are an authorized entity. Many hackers also take advantage of what they can glean from public information, which is surprisingly a lot, especially if they have the patience to do a regular observation of the target area, or are willing to go dumpster diving.

How to Keep Your Business Safe from Social Engineering Threats

It’s quite scary to think that many use social engineering tactics today, but with awareness and the presence of mind, you can easily avoid becoming a victim. Simple practices like refraining from opening suspicious-looking emails and attachments would be very helpful. It is also advisable to implement multifactor authentication in all your systems and to keep your antivirus software updated.

In conclusion, as a business owner, it would be in your best interest to have all employees undergo training that will equip them with the tools and skills needed to circumvent any social engineering attack. You can find out just how much your staff knows about social engineering and other online threats by having them take this free cybersecurity quiz.

We can help bolster your company’s defenses against online threats of all kinds. From training your employees to updating your network, we can cover for you. Just let us know when you are ready and we will be happy to be of service!

Quiz Time: How Well Do You Understand the Role of Backup Disaster Recovery?

Disaster Recovery
Cybersecurity, Data Backup, Security, , , , ,

In recent weeks, we have talked a lot about backup disaster recovery and how important it is when running a business. We have discussed what a business owner needs to form a solid recovery strategy. We’ve also listed some terrible things that can happen if you don’t protect your business with a good plan for dealing with disasters.

It troubles us that many business owners do not fully understand backup disaster recovery and do not take it seriously. If you want to check your comprehension of this process, you can take this simple quiz we have prepared. It is very informative and reveals important facts about disaster recovery.

A Brief Quiz on Backup Disaster Recovery

The following are ten statements that have to do with backup disaster recovery. Read each one carefully and establish whether the statement is TRUE or FALSE.

  1. Cyberattacks are no longer as frequent as in previous years, so having a disaster recovery plan for your business data is not important anymore.
  2. Backup and recovery involve making copies of data and storing them in a safe place where they can be accessed and restored if needed.
  3. Cloud-based data backup is completely and permanently safe.
  4. Hiring a professional to back up your data and doing it yourself are equally reliable.
  5. You can only lose your data if a hacker infiltrates your system.
  6. Hackers can create a data breach through phishing attacks.
  7. There is no connection between being hacked and having weak passwords.
  8. Regularly updated cybersecurity software will protect you from phishing attacks.
  9. Data encryption is an effective way to protect your data from hackers.
  10. Implementing multi-factor authentication for all employees can be expensive for your company.

Quiz Answers

  1. FALSE.

Quite the contrary, cyberattacks are even more prevalent today than ever. There are also many new kinds of attacks that were unheard of as hackers have become more creative as we improve our disaster recovery plan.

  1. TRUE.

Data can be duplicated and stored in as many locations as you want. Usually, there is at least one on-site and one off-site location. Frequent backups are recommended.

  1. FALSE.

It’s safer than a few other types of storage, but cloud backups are still not 100% guaranteed to be safe, especially now that a rising number of cyberattacks are targeting the cloud.

  1. FALSE.

A professionally managed service provider can do so much more to protect and back up your data than you can do on your own for disaster recovery. This protection includes 24/7 monitoring and full restoration in case of a disaster.

  1. FALSE.

There are many ways of losing data. It could be through an online attack, human error, electronic failures, natural disasters, and many more.

  1. TRUE.

Phishing is now a common way for hackers to steal data, and it is also used to break into networks and encrypt data.

  1. FALSE.

According to surveys, approximately 80% of data breaches can be traced to weak passwords and are not recommended when having a disaster recovery plan.

  1. FALSE.

It is necessary to update your cybersecurity software. Unfortunately, this does not ward off phishing attacks. For protection from these scams, employee training and education are the best forms of protection.

  1. TRUE.

Data encryption is one of the most trusted methods of protection. A managed service provider can easily do this for you and keep your confidential information safe.

  1. FALSE.

Multi-factor authentication is one of the cheapest ways for business owners to protect their data and have disaster rcovery, but they don’t spend enough on it.

Evaluating the Results

As we said, there are a lot of false notions about backup data recovery. So if you did not get a perfect score, don’t fret! The good news is that you are now more informed. We can also help you protect your business with a reliable backup and disaster recovery strategy that you can quickly and systematically roll out whenever necessary.

If this Quiz was harder than it looked, then maybe you should watch out Free Cybersecurity Webinar to brush-up on the latest cyber trends. If you have any questions about your data security, give us a call and let’s solve that problem. Finally if you enjoyed this quiz, we have a second Disaster Recovery Quiz for you to further your knowledge!

Quiz Time: Can You Handle Social Media Phishing Attacks at work?

Social Media Phishing
Anti-virus, Cybersecurity, Malware, Phishing, Security, , , , , ,

Our last three blogs have discussed cybersecurity threats and how they affect a business. We have talked about the dangers that stem from various types of malware. We have warned you about the newest cybersecurity risks expected to wreak havoc on businesses soon. And in the face of the ongoing growing acceptance of remote work setups, we have delved into the threats related to working from home. Now, we will now talk about social media phishing.

The common thing in all these topics is that they are all linked to phishing. A strong phishing attack can make a network open to the online threats that we have talked about. Thus, you and your employees must know how to handle social media phishing attacks at work. To find out just how prepared your staff is to circumvent phishing attacks on social media, you can have them take the following quiz.

A Brief Quiz on Social Media Phishing

Here are ten statements that have to do with phishing in social media. Read each one carefully and decide whether it is TRUE or FALSE.

  1. It’s safe to click on social media links and messages at work.
  2. A lot of phishing attacks use publicly available information.
  3. Social media phishing attacks target only individuals, not organizations.
  4. A cybersecurity risk assessment reveals the weak areas in your company’s security strategy.
  5. A ransomware attack occurs once every 40 seconds.
  6. Hackers have a lower chance of attacking smaller businesses.
  7. Malware and virus protection is more important than employee cybersecurity training.
  8. Cybersecurity insurance can save your business.
  9. Two-factor authentication is better for account logins.
  10. Working from home and working from the office are equally safe.

Quiz Answers

  1. False – Even if your company has a reliable cybersecurity system in place, it’s never 100% certain and could be a social media phishing scam. Always be conscious and vigilant if you want your data and network to stay secure.
  2. True – Most of the time, hackers use information already available to the public. We should be careful in revealing information, even if it seems harmless. Hackers might use anything that is made public as a tool for attacking your important files.
  3. False – Social media phishing attacks used to target individuals, but the hackers that use this method have now levelled up and are also targeting organizations, even big companies.
  4. True – You don’t have to wait for an actual phishing attack to gauge the strength or weakness of your defenses. An MSP can give you a thorough risk assessment to identify the weak spots you need to work on.
  5. True – Ransomware attacks are much more frequent than people realize. Most businesses are on a hacker’s hit list, but they have not launched an attack yet.
  6. False – Smaller businesses are at a greater risk because they often have weaker defenses against online threats,
  7. False – Both are very important and go hand-in-hand with an effective cybersecurity strategy.
  8. True – Some business owners forego getting cybersecurity insurance, thinking it is unnecessary and expensive. But if you fall victim to a security breach, it can cost you upwards of $50,000, and cyber insurance can help cover such amounts.
  9. True – Two-factor authentication is much harder for hackers to penetrate than single-step login, making it more secure.
  10. False – While there are plenty of things we can do to make working from home safer, it is still not nearly as secure as working from the office, where software updates and router upgrades are easily done.

Evaluating the Results

Did you get a 10? If so, you have the knowledge and skills to deal with any online attack! Warding off phishing attacks on social media will be a cinch!

A lower score means you need more training, which is something the company can do. As a comprehensive managed services provider, we have a highly competent cybersecurity team that can train your entire staff and prepare your company to face cybersecurity risks. Contact us today to learn more!

If you want to be more thorough with testing your Phishing knowledge, we have another quiz for you to take! After taking your quizzes, if you need to learn more about cybersecurity please watch our cybersecurity webinar, so you can better protect yourself and your business!

Addressing the Cybersecurity Risks of Working from Home

Risks of Working from Home
Anti-virus, Cybersecurity, Security, Technology, , , , , ,

A remote workforce has become the norm since the pandemic. Even now that we consider it safe to return to office work, many businesses have maintained the remote work setup because of the advantages. However, the risks of working from home also bring issues that need attention so as not to risk the company’s network and data.

What Are the Cybersecurity Risks That Come with Working from Home?

There are risks when working from home. Workers lack the usual protective measures used in an office network. Many workers use their home networks and may also use the same device for both work and personal things. Because of this, there are a lot of security issues that can arise and possibly cause damage to the company.

The Risks of Vulnerable Personal Networks When Working From Home

You can keep your home network protected by regularly updating your antivirus software. However, most people do not realize there is also a need to update their router software. Without doing this, you will make your home network, and sadly your work data, open to the prying eyes of online criminals. Which can risk your company data when working from home. 

Greater Reliance on Technology

Now more than ever, we rely heavily on online tools for doing all kinds of business. Besides the basic emailing and sending of files, Almost everything else gets done using digital technology, from video calling to banking to fulfilling orders. This widespread use of online tools gives higher risk when working from home. As a result, hackers have more opportunities to hack company records.

Lack of Cybersecurity Awareness

In the office setting, IT people take care of any cyber security issues. Thus, employees do not take such matters too seriously as it is not their primary work, although they are still liable. You must train them in cybersecurity and be sure they are aware of potential issues when working at home. But, this is not the case since most employees still lack adequate skills and knowledge to avoid these cybersecurity threats.

Fatigue and Lack of Focus

Human error is still the most common cause of data breaches, and this is especially true in a remote work setting. Studies have shown that almost 40% of work-from-home employees feel really tired in the remote work setup. In addition, they also need to juggle home chores, which reduces their focus on applying cybersecurity protocols and makes them lax in their judgment. All these things combined can greatly increase the chance of remote employees exposing the company’s confidential files to hackers by accident.

Risks of Weak Passwords When Working From Home

In trying to bypass company networks through remote workers, hackers will try to crack the user’s passwords. It is the easiest method, and it just so happens that many people still use weak passwords, even for sensitive accounts.

The Risks of Using Personal Devices When Working From Home

In the typical office environment, employees will use computers sent by the company with current malware protection. When working at home, however, people use their laptops or smartphones. These are likely to have less than adequate IT security measures installed, like data encryption.

Making Remote Work Safer From Cybersecurity Risks

There are many benefits to working from home. If you feel this is the best strategy for your company, go for it. However, make sure that all remote processes are completely secure. This step is where we can help!

Since we are focusing on cybersecurity this quarter, we have developed a little Quiz for you and your employees to take. Not only is the Quiz fun, but it counts toward your Employee Cybersecurity Training! Access the Quiz Here!

Our cybersecurity experts can equip your company and your remote workers with the skills and technology to stay protected from malware attacks and other online threats. Contact us to learn more about our comprehensive and fully customizable cybersecurity services today!