Cyber Fraud Threats of Today
Is Your Business Prepared for a Security Breach?
The FBI is the lead
federal agency for investigating
cyber attacks by criminals,
global adversaries and terrorists.
According to the FBI’s website, cyber
crimes are a serious threat that continues
to grow. Some of the most common
threats include computer and network
intrusions, ransomware, identity theft
and online predators.
This leaves small business owners
who may not have the expertise or money
to invest in top-notch cyber security
feeling vulnerable to cyber-crime. But
simple precaution and preparation,
coupled with common sense, can go
a long way in minimizing opportunities
for hackers.
Business owners should think about
cyber security like they do about personal
hygiene. For example, when connecting
to Wi-Fi, they should ensure it is one
they are familiar with. Joel Quejada,
As the global workforce and economy continue to
transform and depend on technology, so too, do
cyber hackers adapt and find new ways to invade private
information of public and private sector networks.
Even some of the largest, most prepared companies
like Reddit, Ticketmaster, Yahoo, Equifax, Facebook
and the U.S. Homeland Security, have dealt with data
breaches, according to an August report by Wired.
(https://www.wired.co.uk/article/hacks-data-breaches-in-2018)
Lead Product Manager at AT&T, says
about 80 percent of cyber security
breaches come from people sharing their
passwords with others, which ultimately
compromises their information.
He advises people to use strong
passwords, even going as far as
using whole sentences or song lyrics.
“There are two main attack vectors
for small business owners: one is through
your email and the other through the
web,” Quejada says. “If you’re able to
protect your email and your access to the
web then you’re accomplishing a
majority of the defense you can do
for yourself.”
Virus protection, such as Mcafee
software, is a good start. But business
owners can still fall victim to cyber crime
if they open a hacked email or accidentally
click on a website with malware.
AT&T offers defense-in-depth
services, which is when multiple layers
Joel Quejada,
Lead Product Manager, AT&T.
of security controls are placed
throughout an information technology
system. Quejada says the first layer
can protect a laptop, cell phone or
tablet and a second layer protects
email and the web.
This added service can significantly
reduce the chance of leaving any
information susceptible to hackers.
Small business owners can sign up
for AT&T’s Tech Support 360, a virtual
IT department, and protect multiple
devices for a monthly fee.
AT&T regards small businesses as
firms with one to 500 employees.
By Christine Bolaños
20 www.latinastyle.com LATINAStyle Vol. 24, No. 4, 2018
/hacks-data-breaches-in-2018)
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