How Cybercriminals Threaten Your Business
In our digital age, most people give at least some thought to the threats posed by scammers armed with high-tech tools. If you’re a business owner, you have to be especially mindful of the business risks posed by cybercriminals.
Accessing Your Financial Information and Accounts
The first thing that probably comes to mind when you think of digital crime is the possibility of hackers gaining access to your business’s financial accounts or data. Obviously, this is a big risk that businesses must guard against. Keeping a business afloat is hard enough without having thousands or more stolen right out of your accounts by cyber-thieves.
Stealing Sensitive Customer Data
There may be no more devious way for scammers to hurt your business than by deceitfully getting your customers’ information in a spoofing attack. This is a scam that involves sending communications to your clients that look like they come from you. Your customers are then fooled into providing valuable information that could cost them a lot of money. When your customers are victimized by a scam with your name and logo on it, your reputation can be affected, even if you are not to blame!
Stealing Other Sensitive Information
Hackers who break into your network might obtain confidential information about your employees through their personnel files. This is one reason that Human Resources departments need to be extra careful in handling digital data as well as physical forms. Additionally, scammers might be able to learn confidential information about your business that you don’t yet want anyone to know – whether it be plans for new products or perhaps a relocation you are considering. Top secret data in the hands of criminals is a perfect recipe for blackmail or extortion.
Hacking into Your Network Via a Vendor
Many businesses overlook the fact that your outside vendors and contractors can put your business at risk from digital thieves. Think of any aspect of your business where a vendor has access to systems or equipment that are on your computer network. Every single place where your vendors have access to your network is a potential open door or window into your data. You limit the number of people – especially outside people – who have this kind of access to those who are really essential. Also, ask your vendors what protective measures they have in place to prevent their security problems from becoming your security problems.
Weak Security Software and Firewalls
If you have an IT team, you rely on them to recommend and implement the right security software and network protection for your company. If you are a single-person business, your digital security is entirely your responsibility. Either way, ask yourself how confident you are that you’ve got the right tools in place to protect your business. How have you or your IT personnel chosen the software that you hope is shielding you from viruses and other malware. Is your network designed to offer maximum protection for both your company’s and your clients’ confidential information?
Cell Phone Swindles
As more parts of our work lives have migrated onto our mobile phones, scammers have been provided with new avenues for crime. All the old scams that were previously done through landline phones can now be done via mobile calls. In addition, cybercriminals can use text messages to spread malware, gain access to a user’s phone, and steal important and sensitive information. If you or your employees have business emails and other work-related information on your phones, scammers can use this route to get it.
“Hacking” Your Employees
Often the most vulnerable part of your technological workplace is the most non-technological part: the humans! Some criminals will find it easier to “hack” your employees than to break into your network. Don’t neglect security training for all of the people in your organization – including yourself! Cybercriminals know that almost anyone can fall victim to a well-designed scam. Everyone who works for your company should frequently refresh their security awareness training so that they can recognize common threats.
Don’t assume that your company is too small to be targeted by scammers. Underestimating the threat could hurt your business, your customers, and your reputation.
