COVID-19 Scams? Make Sure Your Remote Employees Know About The Danger

Worried about COVID-19 scams again? Managing your remote employees through the coronavirus pandemic means more than keeping them productive – they have to be secure as well.

Do you know what cybercrime scams you have to be aware of right now?

It’s a dangerous time right now. Cybercriminals are taking advantage of the confusion and lack of awareness that stems from the global pandemic. There are COVID-19 scams that are preying on misinformation. Hackers are also trying to take advantage of lax WFH conditions.

Do you know how to keep your employees secure from new email-based cybercrime COVID-19 scams?

Top 3 Cybercrime Scams You Need To Know About During COVID-19

  • COVID-19 Scam Cure Emails: If you have signed up for a vaccine, any emails related to it should be coming from that trusted source. If someone emails you out of the blue about a vaccine or a miracle cure, don’t engage. Don’t download anything from the email, and don’t click any links. They’ll likely just infect your systems with malware.
  • Emails That Request A Wire Transfer: Just like before coronavirus hit, you shouldn’t engage with anyone that makes a wire transfer request over email. Scammers are relying on the confusion around “how we do things now.” Always confirm these transfers with superiors and recipients via phone.
  • Emails That Request A Password: Please note that tech industry giants like Microsoft and Google aren’t going to call you to ask for your password — not even in a global pandemic. This is a common scam, carried out by cybercriminals in order to break into your accounts and steal information. They might be banking on a lax WFH security culture where users are sharing passwords over email, text, or messaging system.

How To Manage Your Business’ Remote Cybersecurity During The COVID-19 Pandemic

  • Multi-Factor Authentication: Multi-factor authentication is a great way to add an extra layer of protection to the existing system and account login, especially when your team might be in many different locations. By requiring a second piece of information like a randomly-generated numerical code sent by text message, you’re able to make sure that the person using the login credentials is actually who they say they are.
  • Verify Payments Directly: As you can’t meet in person to verify major financial transactions, the least you can do is confirm over the phone with the contact. Never execute a financial transfer based on an email request alone – it could very well be a cybercriminal posing as a business contact or third party organization.
  • Virtual Private Network: When you use a virtual private network (VPN), your data is encrypted, or hidden, as it moves from your device to the VPN and then continues onto the Internet. That makes it harder for an attacker to identify you as the source of the data – no matter whether you’re on your mobile device’s data connection, or using an unsecured retail Wi-Fi network while you’re in line for coffee.

Don’t compromise your cybersecurity just so your staff can work from home. With the right awareness and solutions, you can maintain a productive and secure remote work model. COVID-19 scams are avoidable! Contact Multi IT & Telephony Solutions today to discuss our security solutions for your business.

Johannesburg – +27(0)11 435 0450[email protected]
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