The FBI reports that 7,000 US companies lost more than $740 million to Internet-based crimes in the past 2 years. According to a survey by The National Small Business Association small business owners victimized by cybercrime reported losing an average of over $30,000. Because smaller businesses typically don’t have the security tools larger companies have, they’ve become inviting targets.
The most common scams include:
- Emails or phone calls requesting account information from legitimate sounding sources. Anyone in your business with access to bank, credit card or debit card data should be cautioned to never give out such information without verifying the source. No government agency, including the IRS, will use these means to request sensitive data. Likewise, financial institutions and credit card issuers will not make such requests or ask you verify information via email or phone.
- Malware, usually attached to an email, can be unwittingly downloaded to your computer system by hackers seeking access to your accounts. Employees should never open a suspicious email or click on an unknown Web link. Even if you recognize the email sender, but something looks fishy, don’t open it.
- Holding your data hostage is one of the latest cybercrimes. Again achieved by dropping malware into your computer system that enables thieves to deny you access to your own files unless you pay a ransom (usually in bitcoins).
- Old school methods include copying credit card, debit card or bank check account numbers, and placing skimmers in gas pumps or ATMs to grab your account.
If your business does fall victim to these criminals, what is your recourse? Unfortunately, the Electronic Funds Transfer Act that requires financial institutions to protect its customers applies to consumers, but not businesses. That means that your recourse is based solely on the agreement you have with your bank, and is subject to your company taking all of the security measures included in the agreement. That’s why it’s crucial that all of your employees who have access to the company’s computers understand the dangers of cybercrime and act accordingly.
When it comes to cybercrime, the proverbial ounce of prevention is worth many pounds of cure. In the same way, your Torrance Haas Factory Outlet can show you how preventative maintenance of your CNC machines saves time and money in the long run. Call: Call (310) 381-0750, email: jphillips@haasfactoryoutlet.com, or visit www.haasfactoryoutlet.com.