Cyber Criminals Are Out In Full Force During Pandemic – Here’s How To Stop Them

In the past couple of months, just about everyone has been forced to shift priorities. If you’re like many business owners, you are intently focused on pivoting your business to accommodate today’s “new normal.” In fact, you are probably investing so much of your time in trying to retain your customers and generate new cash flow that you barely have time to even think about Cyber Security. 

The problem is that Cyber Criminals and hackers know there’s no better time to strike than during a global crisis. In fact, they’re probably working overtime to craft new malware while the rest of us are trying to manage how our lives have been turned upside down. While you are so focused on your business, these cyber thugs are finding new ways into your IT network so they can steal data and passwords, compromise your clients’ private information and even demand large ransoms. 

Cybercrime is already on the rise and is expected to cause US$6 trillion in damages in the US by 2021! But, if history repeats itself, you can bet hackers are already out in full force right now. We’ve already seen how headlines are changing from stories about COVID-19 to accounts of a frenzy of cyberattacks on corporations and small businesses. 

Here are solutions you can implement during these crazy times to help protect your business data, money and productivity: 

1. Be more suspicious of incoming emails. 

Because people have been scared, confused and not really focused for a while now, it’s the perfect time for hackers to send emails with dangerous malware and viruses. You probably have received a bunch of COVID-19-focused emails. Always carefully inspect the email and make sure you know the sender. There has already been a CDC-gov email address out there that’s not legitimate and has spammed inboxes across the country. 

Avoid clicking links in the email unless it’s clear where they go. And you should never download an attachment unless you know who sent it and what it is. Communicate these safeguards to everyone on your team, especially if they are working from home. 

2. Ensure your work-from-home computers are secure. 

Another reason to expect a rise in cyberattacks during these times is the dramatic increase in employees working from home. Far too many employers won’t think about security as their team starts working at the kitchen table. That’s a dangerous precedent. 

First, make sure your employees and contractors are not using their home computers or devices when working. Second, ensure your work-at home computers have a firewall that’s turned on. Finally, your network and data are not truly secure unless your employees utilize a virtual private network (VPN). If you need help in arranging or improving your new work-from-home environment, we would be happy to get your entire team set up. Our goal is always to help your business to thrive with greater cyber security and superior technology that improves efficiency. 

3. Improve your password strategy. 

During crises like this one, your passwords could mean the difference between spending your time working to grow your business and trying to recoup finances and private data that’s been hacked. Make a point now to re-evaluate your passwords and direct your team to create stronger passwords. 

Also, while it’s so convenient to save your passwords in your web browser, it also lessens your security. Because web browsers simply require their own password or PIN to access saved passwords, a skilled hacker can bypass this hurdle. Once they access your saved passwords, they can steal as much as they want – credit card information, customers’ private data and more! 

Instead, you should consider a password manager to keep all of your passwords in one place. 

Think On The Known, Not Just The New 

Neophilia is an obsession with new things simply because they’re new – not necessarily better or improved – or novel. It makes people stand in line overnight for the newest technology release or scour the Internet to find the latest and greatest product, trip or experience. 

We often read books and attend seminars to find new things to ponder. Sometimes the influx of new information and ideas is so rapid that we don’t use what we’ve learned or integrate it into our behaviour. 

So, what if we thought about the important things we’ve learned or responded to questions we already know we should answer? What is known but not recalled or revisited can shape and improve your life. 

Think about these knowns:

• Things you think you know because somebody told you? Think independently.
• Things you don’t visit because they can be frightening? Be courageous.
• Things you’ve only thought about superficially? Go deeper.
• Things you’d like to do? Dream a little.
• Things you’ve stopped doing that used to bring you joy? Revisit them.
• Things you need to know? Learn them.
• Things related to your values and world view? Live them.
• Things that would improve your health and longevity if you consistently did them? Do them.

The Bible says in Philippians 4:8, “Think on these things,” and then lists known and timeless things – what is right, what is true, what is lovely and what is pure. Nothing new in the list, but everything worth thinking about often and deeply.

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