As we approach the Holly Jolly season, it's crucial to understand common cyber threats this time of year and how to help combat them. Protecting your employees and company means prioritizing holiday cybersecurity for your business. Cyber threats can happen year-round, but some are more prevalent in winter than others.
Common Cyber Threats This Time of Year
Your business should always be protected from outside cyber threats, and these are just a few you may run into. Ransomware, phishing scams, and ad fraud are all prevalent this time of year, so keep a watchful eye out for anything that seems suspicious.
Phishing Scams
Phishing scams are among the most common threats to your business, as fraudulent holiday-themed sites can pop up out of nowhere, impersonating retailers. These fake sites will usually take whatever payments you make and direct them straight to suspicious accounts used for identity theft or stealing money.
Ransomware
Ransomware is another way cybercriminals get money from unsuspecting individuals and businesses. They use malware to lock you out of your systems and demand a certain amount of money to regain access.
Ad Fraud
This time of year is also known for fraudulent ads, which cause problems for businesses and individuals alike. These fraudulent ads can be persistent, disguised as holiday-themed advertisements that redirect those who click on them to malicious websites that can cause widespread problems for your systems.
How to Be Prepared
Luckily, there are ways you can be better prepared and better prepare your employees for the upcoming holiday cyber threats. Part of business cyber protection means staying aware of holiday threats and knowing how to counter them.
Be Aware of Suspicious Links
Identifying suspicious links and problematic websites is often easier than you may think. Check for any misspellings, a padlock icon, unusual domain extensions, or other suspicious features that you wouldn't see on a valid, secure website link.
Keep Software Up-To-Date
As a business owner, you know software needs updates not only to keep running at full capacity, but also to stay safe from cyber threats. Part of holiday cybersecurity is continuing to check for software updates, particularly ones related to network security or protection against malware and other malicious software.
Consider Changing/Updating Passwords
A strong, solid password is the most basic defense against anyone trying to hack into your systems or using other cyber threats to infiltrate your business. However, keeping the same password without ever changing it is dangerous; use a mix of letters and symbols, and avoid anything overly predictable.
Having the Right Team Behind You
Winter can be a busy and celebratory time of year, and you shouldn't have to worry about your business on top of everything else. Holiday cybersecurity for your small business is essential to keeping your business running smoothly and safely for everyone. We understand trusting others with your business isn't always easy, so we appreciate you putting your faith in Aesirtech to keep it protected.