You’re probably careful of lookalike websites, which pretend to be someone they’re not. Be aware, fraudsters also make up entirely new businesses and get them to the top of searching rankings through paid adverts. So look out for savings banks, shops and universities that you’ve never heard of before, and don’t assume that a high search ranking makes them legitimate.
If you’re looking at deploying artificial intelligence tools in your business, the UK government has just produced a simple guide to what you should be considering, to stay safe. We recommend it as being worth a read – more detail at https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/guidance/ai-and-cyber-security-what-you-need-to-know
If criminals compromise your systems, they may well demand a ransom to get you back online. Research out this month suggests that fewer than half of those who pay, get their data fully back: and four-fifths are attacked again, often by the same perpetrator. If you’re victimised, report to the authorities as a first step: Action Fraud has a 24/7 live reporting facility available for businesses and charities at https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/campaign/24-7-live-cyber-reporting-for-businesses
Fancy a new job? Fake Facebook adverts are currently being used to spread malicious software to your computer. They’ve been targeted at management level posts, often in digital advertising, but you can expect that to change. Be careful about what you’re downloading, and consider whether you can get application forms via a legitimate company website instead.
If you’re one of the many business owners struggling to get going with cyber security, help is on hand from the South West Cyber Resilience Centre, who are funded to provide advice and help for businesses, charities and education providers.
You can access free resources and regular cyber updates by signing up on www.swcrc.co.uk
