We all know that ransomware and phishing are huge challenges facing all businesses during normal times, but just to kick us when we’re down, there are scammers out there targeting our businesses on the back of the coronavirus whilst we are all extra vulnerable.
Remember, SMEs are the victims of 43% of all data security breaches, with some forced to close as a result of a ransomware attack. The loss of core IT infrastructure, essential data and business confidence forces clients to go elsewhere, and never has utilising that infrastructure, to keep business going, been more important.
I expect we’ll start to see companies approached by criminals to exploit the uncertainties and panic they’re feeling over their cashflow stopping and their struggle to keep their businesses going.
Businesses are desperate for detail, what will happen, when, what money they’ll get and how. So, any information will be jumped on and business owners everywhere may not think to stop and check it’s a legitimate source. One unconsidered click and you could be subject to a ransomware attack, corrupting all your data on top of all the other challenges.
That being the case it’s far better to take sensible cybersecurity measures to prevent a ransomware attack from succeeding in the first place. The Government’s National Cyber Security Centre provides great online advice to protect businesses from cybercrime. So, rather than frightening ourselves instead, let’s focus on what we can do to protect ourselves and our teams.
- Ignore online offers for vaccinations and home test kits. There are currently no vaccines, pills or over-the-counter products available to treat or cure coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) — online or in stores
- Watch out for emails with attachments claiming to provide CV19-related information. For the most up-to-date information about the coronavirus pandemic, visit https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus. Other useful sites include and the World Health Organisation or WHO (https://www.who.int/) and Centres for Disease Control and Prevention or CDC (https://www.cdc.gov/)
- Watch out for texts and emails claiming to be HMRC, UK Government, or other official organisations; asking for bank details so that money can be transferred directly into your bank account or asking for a payment (e.g. an “admin fee”) in order to hand over a much larger amount of money. The details are still being worked out. Anyone who tells you they can get you the money now is a scammer. Valid information can be found at:
- Never click on a link or an attachment unless you’re certain that it’s safe. This is exactly what the criminal is trying to get you to do, so be absolutely,100% sure that it’s genuine. If this takes some investigation such as a phone call to the sender, it’s well worth it
- Add Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) which will add an extra secure layer to your email account on top of usernames and passwords and makes it almost impossible for hackers to intercept.
And most importantly, share this information immediately with all your staff so they are all vigilant and don’t inadvertently create an additional major challenge for your business.
If you’d like our help to improve your defences against cybercrime or any other aspect of IT or telephony support, call us NOW on 03300 886116 or email info@pcsupportgroup.com
Phil Bird
Managing Director, The PC Support Group