The Australian Furniture Association warns Australian businesses of the increasing vulnerability to cyber-attacks and online scams – they’re happening more frequently and resulting in higher financial losses. In fact, cyber-attacks have a long-term impact and can also damage your brand’s reputation. The AFA encourages businesses to be alert to Common Cyber Security problems.
Businesses often face cybersecurity problems such as:
- payment redirection and false billing scams
- viruses or malware (harmful software)
- data breach
- spyware and stalker ware
Payment redirection and false billing scams
A payment redirection scam (also called business email compromise) is where a scammer poses as another person (such as a supplier) to trick you into sending them money. This might be by changing the payment details on an existing account or sending a false invoice. You can report these scams to ReportCyber or Scamwatch.
Viruses and malware
Viruses or malware (‘malicious’ or harmful software) affect the way your computer runs or corrupt your data. These can be spread by opening email attachments from people you don’t know or through online scams.
Data breach
A data breach happens when personal information is accessed or disclosed without authorisation or is lost.
Hackers may capture personal data if you’re sharing information over a wireless internet network that isn’t properly protected.
Spyware and stalkerware
Illegitimate spyware and stalkerware can collect and share information about you without your knowing about it or giving your permission. It can come from free software that you’ve downloaded to your device.
How to improve cybersecurity in your business
Here are some basic things you can do to improve cybersecurity in your business:
- Use an up-to-date virus scanner on all your computers.
- Make sure your wireless internet networks are password protected and secure.
- Use multi-factor authentication where possible.
- Treat every email with caution and don’t open email attachments from sources you don’t trust.
- Be careful downloading free applications from the internet.
- Keep software up to date, including your operating system. Many cyber-attacks exploit vulnerabilities in older versions of your software or OS. Turning on automatic updates can make sure you’re always on the most current versions.
How to minimise the impact of a cyber attack
Prepare your business to recover quickly from a cyber-attack with these simple steps:
- Take regular copies of your important files and store them on a portable device, such as an external hard drive or USB.
- Keep the portable device somewhere safe and disconnected from your computer (do not keep a USB with backup files plugged into your computer).
- Regularly test that your backups are working and accessible from the portable device.
Report a cyber-attack.
If you’re the victim of a cyber-attack or scam, you can report it to ReportCyber.
Report Cyber is the Australian Cyber Security Centre’s (ACSC) secure service for reporting cybercrimes, including:
- malware
- hacking
- scams
- fraud
- identity theft
- business email compromise (BEC)
- attacks on computer systems
- illegal or prohibited online content
Where the ACSC believes a cybercrime has been committed, it will forward reports to law enforcement agencies and other government authorities for further investigation.
Click HERE to report any cybercrime.
*Courtesy of business.vic.gov.au