A Proactive Approach To Protecting Your Organisation From Cyber-Criminals
Faceless gangs of criminals from all over the world may already have you in their sights. Organised criminals are now turning to cyber-crime as they shift from their traditional criminal activities.
By operating outside a country's jurisdiction, higher monetary rewards, reduced risk of getting caught, lack of extradition agreements, access to mule bank accounts has lead to an exponential growth in cyber crime and online fraud.
These gangs are now targeting charities and the voluntary sector. A recent despicable incident at our local hospice @buryhospice was defrauded out of £250,000. These attacks make me angry and this is why are happy to offer advice to charities and voluntary organisations to prevent these types of attacks being successful again.
The only way to disrupt this criminal behaviour is through education (can be done for free) and a layered security software approach. I would like to offer some tips to help prevent these activities.
We provide both MalwareBytes and BitDefender as the main managed security software.
We provide email spam filtering software which prevents spam, provides antivirus and anti-malware protection and protects your mail server port.
Regularly check that your software is updated automatically or at least once a week. This is especially important for windows machines. If you don't know how to check, get in touch and we'll help you out. contact us support@linkedupcomms.co.uk
Setup two factor authentication on services that provide access to financial accounts. Especially online banking software.
Ensure staff are prepared and remain constantly vigilant against attack. Staff involved with finances should be trained to be aware of tell-tale signs and who to approach for advice. Procedures should be in place and followed at all times.
Ensuring there is at least a daily backup kept offsite is the best way of dealing with ransomware attacks.
Never allow an unsolicited phone call to assist with any computer support issues.
Never allow anyone unsolicited to remotely access your computer through programs such as logmein, teamviewer, bomgar and more. They can blank your screen and make all sorts of changes an install malicious programs without your knowledge.
Never open a zip file attachment.....ever.
Every link or attachment in an email should be treated as a threat.
No company including Microsoft, Antivirus companies or any financial institute will phone to tell you that you have a problem.
Any callers that contact you regarding your computer should be treated with suspicion.
Putting members of staff including photos and job titles can seem to be a friendly, transparent way of introducing the team to the customers. However this allows the cybercriminals to build up a chain of command and then target the finance department from the MD requesting immediate transfer of funds to seal a deal, AKA spear phishing.
Prevent spoofed email addresses.
Where possible we will answer and provide advice to charities and voluntary organisations for little or no cost. Get in touch with Darren 01613272969 or info@linkedupcomms.co.uk