12 Days of Cyber Crime

Our rendition of the 12 days of Christmas may be filled with Christmas cheer but it has a very real message about Cyber Security.

Six calls from “banking”, Five unsafe links, Four stolen files, Three fraud texts, Two phishing scams, And a virus on my PC.

Protecting your data should be on the top of your Christmas wish list

As workforces have shifted to remote working there are even more threats to SMEs, from malicious links and attachments in realistic emails, to attacks on systems due to weak passwords and lack of 2FA. 

Fill in our form to request a free cyber security audit, where we will scan the dark web to help you identify any compromised accounts using your corporate email addresses, providing you with a visual representation of how common credential leaks and breaches are.

Phishing Emails, Smishing Texts and Spam calls

With there being a reported 667% rise in malicious phishing emails during the pandemic, according to Barracuda Networks, make sure you and your teams are alert, with 54% of ransomware attacks via phishing (Datto,2020).

One of the easiest ways to spot a fraudulent link is by hovering over it. Once you’ve hovered over the hyperlink within an email, you will be able to see the destination URL. A link from us directing you to our homepage would always start with https and look like…www.complete-it.co.uk, whereas, a bogus link will often mean the letters or numbers don’t appear in the right order.

“Your PayPal account has been suspended due to suspicious activity. Please contact us immediately at 0123-4567.” Much like phishing emails, when it comes to text messages that you are wary of, it is recommended that you do not click on any of the links within the message or call any of the numbers.

Fraudsters will try to instil panic by saying that there is an urgent issue and you could be fined or arrested if you do not act instantly. If you feel rushed or uncomfortable after receiving a text or phone call, it’s always best to put the phone down before taking action.

What should you do if you are suspicious?

When it comes to emails, texts and phone calls that you are suspicious of, we always recommend that you do not act hastily. Don’t hand over your details, click the link within the text or open the attachment in an email. Instead, ask for a second opinion or use a Google search to find the company’s official website and the correct number, so you can call the company directly to query the email, text or phone call.

Disaster Recovery

“40% of all businesses close their doors permanently after a disaster…and more than 90% of small businesses fail within two years after being struck by a disaster” according to a report by Datto.

What if an unforeseen technical problem, malicious activity, natural disaster or human error led to the loss of vital information? How quickly could your systems be recovered in the event of a disaster and how long could you go without access to your data? Don’t leave it to chance, limit Business Downtime with a reliable Disaster Recovery Plan. 

Fake Competitions

There has been a surge of fake competitions on social media channels, advertising free Christmas giveaways. Have you noticed friends and family members re-sharing posts on Facebook of competitions that look a bit sketchy?

These “competitions” are a great way for people to make money and harvest your information. When you hit that “Share” button more people see it and when you like the page, information gets shared with the person running that group. Always remember, if it seems too good to be true, it probably is.

Cyber Essentials Plus

Cyber Essentials is a government backed scheme which helps you to protect your organisation against cyber attacks. Cyber crime come in many forms and it’s important you are taking action to help protect your organisation. Cyber Essentials Plus is an in-depth and rigorous process, carrying great value and trustworthiness to your business.

Learn more about how you can put a stop to the hackers and gain a highly recognised accreditation.