Cyberattacks on Business are Increasing with COVID-19

Here's how to protect yourself from cybercrime

With all the challenges we are facing related to the global pandemic, there's one more to add to our list: cyber attacks on businesses are increasing. It seems cybercriminals are taking advantage of this opportunity to exploit vulnerabilities with hacks and phishing attacks. And while it's not uncommon for cybercriminals to leverage the news to do their evil deeds, as the business world changes its operational model to adjust to the new landscape, cybercriminals are sometimes finding easy prey.

So, how bad is this problem? How can you protect yourself from cybercrime in the age of coronavirus? And how can you shore up preparation for your business? Let's take a closer look.

Cyber attacks on businesses are up

A recent survey shows that as businesses are adjusting to working from home, IT security teams are also pivoting to this new normal of securing remote worker connectivity. The threat is real. Of those surveyed, 71% of security pros said they've seen an increase in threats and cyber attacks since the coronavirus outbreak took hold. Here's what those attacks look like, according to the study.

• 55% of attacks were phishing attacks
• 32% of attacks were from malicious websites which claimed to provide coronavirus information or advice
• 28% of attacks had malware
• 19% were ransomware attacks

Just as importantly, the vast majority of those surveyed said as security professionals, 95% were facing additional challenges due to the pandemic and response. Securing remote access for a virtual workforce was the top challenge, with 56% citing this as an issue.

For the experts at Locknet® Managed IT, the report contains few surprises. Historically, cybercriminals are known to capitalize on trends, so the fact that they are out in force during the confusion, change, and fear of the coronavirus crisis is expected. The key is to protect yourself and your business.

How to protect yourself from cybercrime

Protecting your business from cybercrime is always important. It requires a combination of training staff, educating yourself, and working with IT professionals to ensure your remote workforce can continue operations within a secure environment. Here are our top three tips for securing the best protection against external threats.

• Train employees on security. Employee network security training should be a regular requirement for every business. Since phishing attacks are most prevalent during this stage of the pandemic, be sure to train your staff to recognize phishing scams and the risks of spam.
• Know how to spot fake websites. Experts have never before seen this scale of the purchase of fake URLS as they are during the coronavirus crisis. Learn how to spot fake websites that could be trying to mine your information and compromise your business network.
• Secure your staff. While many businesses are pivoting to managing a remote workforce, it's vital to secure your remote staff. Consider installing VPN software and leveraging threat prevention technology, such as Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), Spam and Web filtering services, and Email Encrytion to protect your company data and network.

Managing internal business risks of the global crisis

As cyber-attacks on businesses increase during this global pandemic, it's essential for all businesses to be aware of the risks to their data. By following these tips, you may be able to head off an attack on your network. Knowing how to protect yourself from cybercrime is vital to your company's ability to weather this storm, and any ahead. If you are in need of an IT partner to help you through it, we're here for you. Contact Locknet® Managed IT to discuss the many options for securing your remote workforce.