Would your Kent Business Survive a Cyber Attack?

Cyber-attacks can happen within the blink of an eye. If your business doesn’t have the correct protection surrounding it, you could lose money, important company data and put your reputation in hot water. This article has been written to get you thinking about what threats you can expect to come your way as a business owner, and what actions to take if you fall victim to an attack.

Common types of Cyber Attack

Cyber attacks on SMEs can be varied, however they usually start by targeting end-users. Cyber-criminals rely on your employees having a lack of IT literacy and little understanding of the threat landscape. This is why you are likely to see newer employees targeted first as they are impressionable and not used to the new working environment. Examples of common cyber attacks are

• Being tricked into sending money or purchasing gift cards to a scammer
• Clicking a link and entering credentials into a fake login portal (usually posing to be Microsoft, Amazon, your bank etc)
• Clicking a link that automatically downloads Malware to the victim’s machine such as:

Examples of Malware include but aren’t limited to:

• A Keylogger that records which keys you are using to log into your accounts
• Pop up’s telling you that there is a virus on your machine, posing as Microsoft and prompting you to call a support number
• Trojan malware elicits information from your computer and then corrupts files after it’s executed

What happens to my information once I give it away to a cybercriminal?

Depending on the type of information, it will likely be sold on the dark web for monetary gain. The reason scammers don’t choose to log into your bank and send themselves money is because this leaves a digital footprint, and the money would be traced back to them if a claim was made.

Bad actors can use your information for identity theft and make claims and/or purchases in your name. We strongly suggest immediately changing all of your passwords if you think your accounts have been breached in any way.

Can I get my money back if I send it to a scammer?

Once you’ve sent money to a scammer, you may not be able to get it back. You must notify your bank straight away if you’ve sent money to a scammer, as they may be able to reverse the transaction for you.

If you’ve purchased gift cards, you might be able to return to the place of purchase and receive a refund, if the cards haven’t been used yet.

What shall I do if I become the victim of a cyber-attack?

We strongly suggest you let your IT administrator know immediately and report the attack to the NCSC within 72 hours. Your IT partner will be able to assist you with both reporting the attack as well as putting into action any business continuity plans you have in place. Click here to learn more about BCPs.