Call Us!
Sales: (604) 239-4283
|
Get Support
|
info@compunet.ca
IT Support For Vancouver Law Firms IT Services For Vancouver Law Firms Vancouver Legal IT Services
  • Managed It Services
  • Cybersecurity
  • Cloud Solutions
Close
Legal IT Support in Vancouver
  • Architecture
    • IT Management
    • Cloud Solutions
    • Software Support
    • Cybersecurity Solutions
  • Law Firms
    • Technology Management
    • Digital Transformation
    • Software Support
    • Cloud Services
    • IT Security
    • Cybersecurity Management
    • Ransomware Prevention
  • Accounting
    • Managed IT Services
    • Cloud Services
    • Ransomware Removal
    • Ransomware Protection
  • Engineering
    • Managed IT
    • Cloud
    • IT Security
    • Ransomware Removal
  • Cybersecurity Services
    • Microsoft MFA
    • Microsoft 365 Secure
    • Microsoft Office Protect
    • Network Security
    • Endpoint Protection
    • Dark Web Protection
  • About Us
    • How We Work
    • Why Choose Us
    • Case Studies
    • Our Blog
    • Is This You?
    • Five-Star Feedback
    • Careers
    • Referral Program
  • Where We Serve
    • Greater Vancouver
    • Burnaby
    • Langley
    • Surrey
    • North Vancouver
    • New Westminster
    • Richmond
  • Contact Us
    105-135 East 15th Street
    North Vancouver, BC V7L 2P7
    (604) 986-8170 info@compunet.ca
    Get Support

5 Tips to Prevent Social Engineering Attacks

Do you know what an online security breach will actually cost you? Know this: it isn’t cheap. It’ll cost you an average of $150 per compromised file to recover from data loss, and thousands of files are compromised in the average attack, so you’re looking at a six or seven-figure hit from just a single […]

Start A Conversation

Do you know what an online security breach will actually cost you?

social engineering

Know this: it isn’t cheap. It’ll cost you an average of $150 per compromised file to recover from data loss, and thousands of files are compromised in the average attack, so you’re looking at a six or seven-figure hit from just a single incident.

A million dollars and nothing in return… that’s not the kind of problem you want to deal with.

And besides that, do you want to be the kind of business that is known for suffering a major cyberattack (that’s assuming you even survive it, as 55% of small and medium-sized businesses are forced to close within just 6 months of an online security breach)? It’s going to freak people out a bit. Many potential clients are sure turn to someone else that doesn’t have a history for online security breaches.

Also, frankly, it’s just plain embarrassing.

It’s not just people forcing their way onto network with savant hacking skills that you have to worry about. It’s just as important to protect yourself from clever phishers who know how to trick your employees into handing sensitive data over instead of breaking in and stealing it themselves.

Here are 5 tips that will help protect you from social engineering attacks:

  1. Know What You Need to Protect

Some information is more important than other information.

If someone asks for your phone number, that’s okay, it’s not really information that needs to be protected.

But watch out for the inquiries of social engineers, as they’ll usually do plenty of background work before they strike. There’s no reason for anyone to know which operating system you’re running, which company collects your trash, etc. A sudden sense of urgency is a good sign that something is wrong. Make sure that your employees know that if a question seems at all suspicious and it regards information that could be used against you, just don’t answer it.

Want to learn more about which information is especially important to protect? Give us a call at (604) 986-8170 or send a message over to info@compunet.ca.

  1. Know Who to Trust

But what’s just as important as the information itself is who is receiving that information.

If it’s not a source you 100% trust, don’t share anything. Many of the most effective phishers put their victims on the defensive by posing at the IRS, local police, or some other position of authority. Always call to confirm that you actually owe back taxes, unpaid fines, or any other sort of penalty before you follow a link or (god forbid) install some software from such an “authority”.

Also, look out for URLs that are just a bit off from a legitimate source, like goggle.com or something like that.

  1. Watch Out for the “Mysterious USB Stick”

One of the more creative social engineering methods is to leave a USB stick loaded with malware outside on the ground between the parking lot and the entrance of your business. A surprising amount of people will get curious and pick that thumb drive up and plug it in to your network just to see what’s on it.

This scam is even more effective if that USB stick has the company’s logo printed on it…

It seems like common sense, but a reminder never hurts: make sure your employees know not to plug in any foreign devices into in-house equipment.

  1. Establish a Clear Set of Protocols…

You’re going need to make it clear exactly what you expect from your workforce in terms of protecting your network from social engineering attacks. Organize these tips and whatever other policies you want to implement, print them out, and make sure every employee has read and understands these protocols.

  1. …And then Follow Through

Of course, a “clear set of protocols” won’t make a difference if you don’t make sure those protocols are being followed.

Keep track of your employees’ behavior, and don’t be afraid to bother them if they’re not following all the rules. Repeat offenders should be penalized. We know it’s awkward to confront employees you see every day in this way, but when it comes to protecting your data, you’re protecting the very livelihood of your business.

Contact us at (604) 986-8170 or info@compunet.ca for more information about our IT services.

Schedule Your No Obligation Initial Consultation Now

Complete this short form and schedule your no obligation 10-minute introductory phone call with Compunet Information. A member of our team will reach out immediately.

Latest Blog Posts

The Top Five Technology Challenges CEOs Face Leading Up to 2024
The Top Five Technology Challenges CEOs Face Leading Up to 2024
Read More
Can Your Managed Services Company Offer More Than Just IT Managed Services & Help Desk Services?
Can Your Managed Services Company Offer More Than Just IT Managed Services & Help Desk Services?
Read More
Vishing and AI Voice Spoofing
Vishing and AI Voice Spoofing
Read More
Read The Compunet Blog
  • Architecture
    • IT Management
    • Cloud Solutions
    • Software Support
    • Cybersecurity Solutions
  • Legal
    • Technology Management
    • Digital Transformation
    • Software Support
    • Cloud Services
    • IT Security
    • Cybersecurity Management
    • Ransomware Prevention
  • Accounting
    • Managed IT Services
    • Cloud Services
    • Ransomware Removal
    • Ransomware Protection
  • Engineering
    • Managed IT
    • Cloud
    • IT Security
    • Ransomware Removal
  • Cybersecurity Services
    • Microsoft MFA
    • Microsoft 365 Secure
    • Microsoft Office Protect
    • Network Security
    • Endpoint Protection
    • Dark Web Protection
Compunet infonech

Compunet InfoTech offers Managed IT Support & Hosted IT Services For Vancouver & Surrounding Areas. Serving Vancouver, Burnaby, Richmond, Surrey, Coquitlam and New Westminster.

105-135 East 15th Street
North Vancouver, BC V7L 2P7

(604) 986-8170
info@compunet.ca

  • About Us
  • Why Choose Us?
  • Media Center
  • Vancouver IT Consulting News
  • Testimonials
  • Greater Vancouver
  • Burnaby
  • North Vancouver
  • Langley
  • Surrey
  • New Westminster

© 2023 Compunet InfoTech. All Rights Reserved.

Sitemap
|
Privacy Policy
|
Website Accessibility
Attention North Vancouver Businesses: Are You Worried About Your IT Services Provider?

Get A Free Second Opinion Today from Compunet.

Our comprehensive assessment includes:

  • A thorough analysis of your current IT company’s performance
  • A customized action plan to tackle all operational issues
  • A detailed budget and project plan for seamless execution

Don’t let IT issues hold back your business. Gain the clarity you need to get your IT on the right track. With our no-obligation, risk-free assessment, you have nothing to lose. Contact Compunet now.

Interested?
Schedule Your Initial Consultation with Compunet Today.

Schedule Your Initial Consultation With The Compunet Team.

Fill in your information below to get started today.