Cyber-attacks have risen by 31% in the UK over the last year. They are becoming more sophisticated so it’s harder to spot.
As a business owner, it’s your duty to educate your staff on these threats in order to prevent an attack from taking place.
All it takes is for one employee to open a phishing email to cause a data breach, costing your business around £25,000.
Don’t worry, we are here to help and educate you. Watch the video, or carry on reading to discover the top 5 cyber-attacks that threaten your business, on many different platforms.
Phishing
You may have already heard about ‘phishing’, as it’s an original cyber-attack. Phishing is when a cyber-criminal sends an email pretending to be someone else often asking for sensitive information, e.g. pretending to be your bank and asking for your bank details. Once they have your details, they will then have access to your bank and your hard-earned money.
Similarly, phishing emails can also be sent with the malicious intent of tricking you to click a link or download a file. This link or file contains malware, which will lead to the hijack of your device and a data breach.
These emails are so sneaky that around 97% of users are unable to recognise the sophisticated error.
Spear Phishing
This is similar to phishing and the cyber-criminal has the same end goal of breaking into your device.
Although they are more prepared this time. They will have done their research about you, learning your business, name and perhaps address to make the phishing email more believable.
In the last year, 65% of targeted attacks were spear phishing.
Vishing
This is the voice call version of a cyber-attack.
Have you had a call from an unknown number that’s claiming to be from a business, such as your bank? They will talk to you, trying to convince you they are legitimate and will tell you something is wrong. Then, they will proceed and ask you to send your card details over the phone.
As I’m sure you’re already aware, never give your card details over the phone.
What you should do is hang up and call the company they are pretending to be, e.g your bank, and inform them of the scam.
Smishing
Smishing is an attack sent via text. This is becoming more and more popular.
Because it’s still relatively new, it’s more believable than a phishing email.
You will receive an urgent message encouraging you to click a link or pass over your information.
Make sure you look carefully at these strange emails and notice if it’s a normal phone 07 mobile number claiming to be your bank. A legitimate message will have the business name of who it’s from e.g. Halifax, HSBC etc.
Whaling
Whaling is a highly targeted phishing attack. It’s planned over a long time and targets someone with a high position.
The email will be a lot more sophisticated and targeted more towards the organisation, with a sense of urgency. This attack carries the same intent of causing malware to spread, or to get confidential information.
After reading all of that you might feel a bit scared and/or overwhelmed at how much your business could be at risk without the right protection.
Make sure you share this information with your employees – it’s vital they have an understanding of cyber-attacks. You can also download our guide – nine ways to get staff on board with cyber- security.
Ingenio Technologies provides cyber security for businesses like yours, so you don’t have to worry as much about concerning topics such as phishing. Take a look at how we can keep your business safe.
Alternatively, contact one of our cyber security experts now, we are always happy to help – call 01273 806211 or email [email protected].
