Cybersecurity has become a hot button issue for businesses around the world, particularly ransomware. The cyber threat has become common place for virtually every type of business, from healthcare to education, and solutions have been few and far between. Unfortunately, the problem could get worse before it gets better, as cybersecurity professionals are throwing in the towel due to the unrelenting stress from trying to mitigate the risk. This news could not come at a worse time, as ransomware attacks have become a seriously pressing issue, particularly for small businesses. 82% of ransomware attacks target smaller businesses due to the general lack of security measures in place. Even worse, the cybersecurity field is already decidedly short-staffed. 74% of organizations state that a lack of cybersecurity skills have negatively impacted their organization, and only 9% of millennials have reportedly expressed interested in the industry.
Never click on suspicious links – hackers are getting smarter by the day, but avoiding suspicious links in texts, emails, and other means of communication is a great first defense against these kinds of attacks.Update your software – whether it be a CRM or a CMS, keeping your software up-to-date can close security loopholes quickly and effectively as they present themselves.Keep personal information to yourself – Unless you’re 100% sure of the source, avoid providing personal information to anyone requesting it, as this can be a first step towards hacking your account.Use a VPN on public Wi-Fi – internet connections in coffee shops and other public locations are notoriously not secure, so make sure to use a VPN if you must surf on the go.
Additionally, always be vigilant when it comes to online activity, particularly at work. In most cases, cyber attacks are pretty easy to spot if you’re paying attention. Keep an eye out for things like spelling errors, inconsistent design, and other oddities in requests for information, as they’re a dead giveaway for a cyber threat.
