It feels like everyday a new scam is reported on the news so it’s important to know how to keep you and your business safe. With the Covid pandemic forcing many businesses to move online, a recent government report has revealed that nearly half of small businesses have been cyber-attacked in the last year. Here’s some top tips for protecting yourself online:
- Watch out for unexpected calls, texts or emails.
Look out for phishing emails, cold calls, and random text messages, especially if you’re being asked to confirm your personal information, passwords or banking details.
Scammers will do anything to steal your money or your identity - including pretending to be a loved one who needs help or a utilities company threatening to cut you off.
If you don’t know whether the message you’ve received is genuine, ignore it and contact the relevant company straight away.
- Check the contact details.
Look out for a PO box as part of the address, a dodgy web link, a premium number starting with 09 or a mobile number to call back on. If you’re not sure, find out as much as you can about the company by searching on Google.
- Don’t keep secrets.
Asking you to keep it a secret is a red flag. Talk to someone you trust about it, like a close friend or family member.
- If the offers too good to be true, it probably is.
Watch out for pre-recorded messages over the phone. If someone’s asking for upfront fees or promises a good pay out for little effort, it’s probably a scam.
- Think it through.
Scammers might try to hurry your decision making. Don’t let anyone make you feel under pressure - it’s OK to take a break and think things through if you’re not sure.
- Take note of typos.
Emails or messages with spelling and grammar mistakes are a scam giveaway. Legitimate organisations will rarely, if ever, make spelling or grammatical mistakes in their emails to you because they’ve been put together by professionals and checked before they’re sent.
Looking for further protection for your business?
Your business could benefit from BT’s Content Control and Web Protect, letting you control web traffic and access to harmful sites. You can also purchase McAfee’s business antivirus protection with your broadband or mobile, or on its own for £4.99 per month.
Keep your business safe by upskilling your workforce
In partnership with the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), The Future is Now campaign is helping businesses to identify and protect against online threats.
Or stay safe with BT’s Skills for Tomorrow programme where business’ can make sure their employees know how to spot harmful files and sites through free webinars on cyber security.
Did you find this blog helpful? Got a useful hint or tip you think we’ve missed? Let us know by posting in the Community.
^ @SamG
