The holiday season is a time of joy and celebration, but it is sad to say it is also a time of increased risk for cyber attacks. Cyber criminals know that many businesses are less vigilant and more vulnerable during this period, and they take advantage of the opportunity to launch ransomware, phishing, and other types of attacks.

According to a report by Darktrace, a global leader in cyber security AI, there was a 30% increase in the average number of attempted ransomware attacks globally over the holiday season in every consecutive year from 2018 to 2020 compared to the monthly average – and the latest figures suggest it could even increase as much as 70%. Cyber attacks can cause significant damage to your business, such as data loss, reputation harm, financial losses, and legal liabilities. Therefore, it is essential to take preventive measures to secure your systems, data, and employees from cyber threats. Here are some tips to help you stay safe online during the holidays:

• It may sound simple but ensure all of your employees and end users have strong and separate passwords for your email and other accounts. This is the gateway to many business accounts, and if it gets compromised, cyber criminals can access sensitive information and cause havoc. Try to remind all your users to change their passwords before they head home for the holiday break.
• Turn on two-factor authentication (2FA) for your accounts. 2FA adds an extra layer of security to your accounts by requiring you to enter a code or a confirmation from another device after entering your password. This way, even if someone steals your password, they won’t be able to access your account without the second factor. This can be especially helpful when you have a lot more team members working from home during the festive season.
• Install the latest software and app updates on your devices. Software and app updates often contain vital security patches that fix bugs and vulnerabilities that cyber criminals can exploit. By keeping your devices up to date, you can reduce the risk of malware infection and data breach. Plus, many service agreements for security products expire at the end of the year. If you do not have an IT service provider helping to look after these for you, it is essential to check all your expiry dates and required updates so you aren’t left vulnerable.
• Make sure everything is backed up before you close up for Christmas. In case of a cyber attack, such as ransomware, that locks or deletes your data, having a backup can save you from losing your valuable information and paying a ransom.
• Secure your local network. Your local network, such as your router, modem, and wireless devices, can also be a target of cyber attacks. Hackers can exploit weak or default passwords, outdated firmware, or open ports to access your network and devices. To secure your network, change the default password and name of your router, update the firmware regularly, enable encryption, and disable remote access. You can also use a firewall to monitor and block suspicious traffic, and a network scanner to detect and remove any unauthorised devices.

Our goal is for everyone to have a happy Christmas, free of worry about cyber attacks on their businesses. For help or information on anything related to cyber security, get in touch and speak to one of our experts today.