There has been a spike in malicious Cyber-attacks, with phishing and scam emails, reported to be the worst in years, taking advantage of COVID-19 to exploit increased use of virtual platforms.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation reported as of 30 March 2020 Crime Complaints Centre has reviewed more than 1,200 cases relating to the Coronavirus scams.
Cyber criminals are targeting individuals, aswell as businesses including aerospace, transport, manufacturing, hospitality healthcare and insurance.
With more and more of us now working from home and using video conferencing calls to hold meetings, criminals are taking advantage of this. It is vital for businesses aswell as individuals to know what to look out for.
Tips for Cyber Crime Vulnerability:
Do:
- Verify the web address of legitimate websites and manually type them into your browser.
- Change passwords for routers and smart devices from default setting to unique passwords.
- Check for misspelled domain names within a link (for example, confirm that addresses for government websites end in .gov).
- Report suspicious activity on work computers to your employer.
- Use multi-factor authentication (MFA) when accessing organizational sites, resources, and files.
- Practice good cyber security when accessing Wi-Fi networks, including use of strong passwords and Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) or WPA2 protocols.
- Ensure desktops, laptops, and mobile devices have anti-virus software installed and routine security updates are applied; this includes regularly updating web browsers, browser plugins, and document readers.
Don’t:
- Open attachments or click links within emails received from senders you do not recognize.
- Provide usernames, passwords, birth dates, social security numbers, financial data, or other personal information in response to an email or phone call.
- Use public or non-secure Wi-Fi access points to access sensitive information.
- Use the same password for multiple accounts.
The following guide is taken from the NCSC website which includes a wealth of advice and support for businesses and individuals during this crisis. As the situation around COVID-19 is changing daily, for up to date guidance, please visit www.ncsc.gov.uk/guidance/home-working
It is vital that businesses have policies in place for working from home and it is certainly worth checking that you have the right Cyber cover in place. If you would like to speak to us about this in more details please don’t hesitate to get in contact with one of our local branches.