Phishing is a way of trying to get information from your computer systems.

Often, the phishers are after user names and passwords, but sometimes they will take bank and credit card details too. This can be a disaster for your business, as customers will lose confidence in your security systems and stop buying from you.

Email phishing has become very common and unfortunately, the emails often look genuine. Just opening one can give the hackers the way they need into your systems, and as they can seem to be real, this happens all too often.

Look For The Signs

There are signs that should alert you to the fact it may be a phishing email you are reading.  

• They often have typing and grammar errors, and make threats about you having to do something immediately.  

• They can supposedly be from the IRS, your bank or any other large institution, and you need to remember that none of these are likely to contact you by email unless you have a personal rapport with one of the staff.

They certainly would never make threats by email.

Do Not Click On The Links

Unless the email is from a trusted source and you are certain it is from them, never click on any link that is in an email. Likewise, you should not download any files or open attachments unless you are expecting them and know what they should contain. Your computers could be infected with a virus very easily if you and all of your employees do not adhere to this golden rule.

Limit Access

Most people have heard of parental controls for computers and other digital devices. This involves the parents using software that blocks some of the content they would rather their children do not see.

Now a similar thing is being used more by employers to prevent their staff from using things such a social media during working hours and to protect their systems from any viruses that may come through it.

This is all explained in more detail at https://setapp.com/how-to/block-websites-on-mac, where you can also buy the software if you want it for your business. Businesses who use similar software tend to have fewer issues, so it is well worth considering.

Keep Sensitive Information Secret

Never give out any business information, such as bank account number, passwords or anything else, in response to an email from anyone. Your email may be perfectly safe, but theirs may not be.

If you are asked for sensitive information over the phone, only give it to the person the other end if it was you that made the call so you are certain you are speaking with the right people. Anyone could call you and say they are from your bank, for instance, and you may be none the wiser.

If In Doubt, Don’t

Regardless of whether the contact is made with you by phone or email, if you have any doubts at all about if it is genuine, but the phone down or delete the email without doing anything it asks and without opening any links or files.

This action alone could prevent your systems from being hacked, and you should not worry about your doubts causing a problem. If the contact was genuine they will find a better way to get in touch and understand why you acted the way you did.

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