Frauds and virus attacks are rising than other types of business crime. Regrettably, the entry barrier to this area is poor, with ransomware now being sold as a subscription service.
Furthermore, the chances of being captured are too poor, implying that the threat of severe consequences is ineffective as a deterrent.
Critical services and other facets of our everyday lives are increasingly facilitated and handled by increasingly insecure structures as companies increase their reliance on technology.
Companies need to remain alert and take extra precautions to protect themselves from fraud and virus attacks. The following are five steps that any business should take to improve its protection.
6 Ways You Can Protect Your Business
When we move into a technologically driven world, it’s no wonder that online attacks are increasing in number, type, and who is being targeted.
As a result, any business owner must have IT solutions in place to be aware of any threats and react appropriately.
Fortunately, you don’t have to do it yourself; instead, you can seek professional IT advice and concentrate on your company. As far as fraud and virus attacks are concerned, prevention is preferable to cure. Here are some critical steps to take.
1. Conduct Risks Assessments
You should conduct a risk assessment of your computer environment regularly.
For example, commercial online banking customers should conduct a risk assessment and controls review of their computer network system regularly. At the very least, this can be accomplished once a year.
- Make a list of how the company gathers, uses, and stores consumer and business data. Document how workers, including remote employees, gain access to customer and business details.
- Determine how information can be stolen, hacked, or manipulated. Include a risk evaluation for consumer data as well as company proprietary data, such as intellectual capital.
- Document the safeguards in place to protect your computer network environment, as well as any additional safeguards that may be required.
- Document each project approved, when implemented, and the status of any projects that have not been approved.
- Keep track of any “intelligence incidents” after the last risk evaluation. Determine what happened, the impact, and current controls are broken, if any, and what controls would be enforced to avoid future incidents.
2. Train Your Staff
Since they are a direct route through the networks, employees and emails are a leading cause of data breaches for companies.
Simple internet best practices training will go a long way toward stopping fraud and virus attacks. Every employee should be aware of the following:
- What kind of business and personal email use is allowed?
- How to handle business knowledge at work and home
- What to do in the event of a scam or virus attack
Any new employee should be trained on how to protect sensitive data and should sign your information policy. To strengthen the cybersecurity community, send out updates and have ongoing training.
3. Keep Your Software Updated
Another critical way to protect your computers from these malicious activities is to keep your computer’s operating systems updated.
Software updates are essential, and they often provide critical security fixes. In addition to operating systems, it’s essential to keep your web browser up to date, as outdated browsers are vulnerable to security vulnerabilities that allow malicious software to read your files and steal your passwords. Another way to protect data is to use EFM software.
The abbreviation stands for enterprise fraud management (EFM) software and it helps businesses to detect and prevent fraud by monitoring activity and flagging suspicious behavior.
In addition, fraud management platforms can provide businesses with valuable insights into their customers’ behavior. As a result, they can be an invaluable tool for companies that want to protect their data.
4. Monitor Threats
Keep track of all the computer hardware and software that your company employs. To prevent unauthorized access, make sure they are safe.
Remind the workers to be cautious of the following:
- Where do they store their computers, and how do they keep them?
- The networks to which their devices are linked, such as public Wi-Fi
Unknown viruses and other risks may be inadvertently moved from your home to your company if you use USB sticks or portable hard drives.
Remove any software or appliances you no longer need. Make sure there is no confidential data on them until discarding. If you keep older, unused software or equipment on your network, it’s doubtful that it’ll be upgraded, and it could be a loophole for criminals to assault your business.
5. Protect Your Computers With Anti-virus Software
Viruses, Trojans, spyware, and ransomware are often installed on staff computers without their knowledge. A virus can also “cover” in a flash drive and be moved to a PC without the user’s knowledge. As a result, the best defense is a potent offense.
Therefore, a strict anti-virus protocol should be put in place to avoid, detect, and uninstall malware before any functionality is harmed.
6. Protect Your Data From Hardware Theft
Finally, if your firm has a BYOD policy, have a mechanism to remotely protect data on mobile devices such as laptops, tablets, or other devices. At the very least, make sure the device’s data is encrypted.
While cybercrime is concerned mainly with the transmission of digital information over the internet, misplaced devices are still a concern. With only one stolen device, an attacker can obtain access to a wealth of knowledge, so be ready.
The above pointers addressed the most critical aspects of protecting your company from fraud and virus attacks. However, as a company owner, it is your responsibility to bring everything into motion.
Scammers who gain access to sensitive personal details, including customer records, log-in credentials, and account information, can have catastrophic consequences. As a result, assume responsibility and safeguard your business.
