Almost half of all social media users have admitted to falling victim to shopping scams. So, if members of your team are doing some last-minute Christmas shopping from work, how can you be sure your company is safe?
According to new research, 47% of people clicked on links hoping to get a good deal and ended up giving financial and personal information to cyber criminals.
That could mean they’re exposing not only their own data and money, but also your device – and possibly your entire network
People are being duped online by more than just shopping scams. Phishing links have tricked 36% of people into disclosing personal information. Phishing occurs when you receive an email that appears to be from a person or brand you know and trust, but it is not.
The same number of people have fallen victim to gift card scams, in which criminals gain victims’ trust and persuade them to purchase gift cards or online vouchers.
If an employee clicks on a malicious link or downloads an infected file while on the job, the consequences for the company can be disastrous. The dangers extend beyond the loss of data and reputation. The cost of downtime while you get back up and running is enough to put many businesses out of business for good.
So, how can you protect your company from this type of scam now and throughout the year?
You should focus on training your people as well as having the right cyber security tools in place, such as firewalls, antivirus software, and strong password management. Because your best line of defense is a team that can spot a threat when it appears.
Make sure they are up to date on the latest scams and are aware of the warning signs to look out for. Encourage everyone to double-check that links are genuine, websites are legitimate, and to be wary of offers that appear too good to be true.
And have a solid plan in place that goes into effect the moment a security breach is detected. Employees should all be aware of the importance of immediately reporting any incidents and who they should notify. Acting quickly often reduces the severity of a data breach and makes it easier and less expensive to repair.
As always, if you’d like further help or advice, get in touch.