Few companies would be able to operate effectively without the help of the internet these days. In fact, the internet has become an integral part of how we do business and how we stay connected with others. However, it does come with its fair set of drawbacks, one of them being the many types of cyberattacks you’re likely to encounter frequently. And if you don’t know how to identify what looks like a scam right off the bat, the consequence can be dire for your company.
Today, Social Gadget News discusses how to alert your employees and staff to potential scam artists to prevent unwanted hassles in the future.
Null and void invoices
If your business deals with plenty of invoices. And your invoicing department is swamped with having to manage these invoices on a daily basis. Or, if you don’t have a dedicated in-house department that isn’t equipped for processing large volumes of invoices, then beware of the online invoicing trap that is landing up in many a business email inbox these days. To avoid being spammed by invoices that don’t exist, it is best to ensure that employees are trained to identify false letterheads or dodgy emails from the get-go to avoid payments to scam artists looking to scam you out of hundreds or even thousands of dollars.
Fraudulent bank emails
This is probably one of the most common online scams you’ve probably encountered already. And if you haven’t already, then you’d best be aware of how to spot a fraudulent bank email from a mile away. In this scam, fraudsters will communicate that your bank details need to be confirmed in one way or another. They then use high-tech methods of copying your login information using keystroke loggers and malware to gain access to your bank account. Therefore, it’s wise to always stay on top of any irregular activity that may pop up with regard to your banking. And stay informed of the banking scams going around to avoid your business bank account being hacked into.
Phishing for information
Again, this is one of the more prolific online scams you’re likely to come across when managing your inbox. A phishing scam often involves duplicating legitimate sites to a tee. And is the reason why many people fall victim to it by entering personal or business information into fake sites, only for hackers to take this information and defraud you out of your hard-earned money.
Why a recovery plan is necessary
As the saying goes, prevention is better than cure. Therefore, if you want to spare yourself the hassle of having to redo passwords and changing your details after the fact, putting preventative measures in place beforehand is the only way to go. To start with, having a cyber protocol plan in place is a good idea for employees to refer to should something untoward take place.
A business continuity plan will provide a course of action on how to handle these corrective procedures if your system has been compromised in any way. Creating one for your small business will take up a lot of your time, energy, and resources, which is why it’s important to stay organized as you do the research and deep-dive into the task. Download a template for a monthly planner to help with the nitty-gritty of this crucial project without sacrificing your other responsibilities.
Additionally, backups are often necessary to recover lost or stolen data, with this function usually being handled by an IT department or IT professional. Furthermore, an IT professional will also be responsible for installing malware and antivirus protection on business laptops and computers to essentially block these scamming attempts.
In summary, being aware of existing fraudulent scams (and even those on the horizon) and preparing for these in advance can save your business from potentially irreparable damage.
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