Steps you can take to defend against phishing, smishing and other forms of cyber threats
CYBER CRIMINALS SEND OUT a staggering number of phishing emails to businesses every year. They’re trying to trick employees into revealing proprietary and confidential data or taking an action that will benefit the criminals — and harm your business. They often use a tactic called spoofing — impersonating a legitimate business or person — in an attempt to fool employees into clicking a link, opening an attachment, changing account information or conducting a financial transaction. When these phishing attempts use SMS or messaging apps, they are often called “smishing.”
Clicking those links or opening those attachments can automatically install malware, which, depending on the type, could give the criminals access to your computer or device, install ransomware (in which malware infiltrates your system and cyber criminals hold your business hostage until a fee is paid), and even allow them to burrow further into your company's servers or the cloud. Let them in and they could steal your company’s confidential information and destroy the reputation you’ve worked hard to build with customers.
Be cyber-secure: Protecting your family online
Be cyber-secure: Best digital practices for businesses
Be cyber-secure: Ways to protect your business and your customers
While the impact of such a business email compromise (BEC) can seem overwhelming, there are things you can consider doing to help protect your business, your customers and your employees from email scams. Consider these best practices:
For tips on what to do if you think your business has experienced a cyber event, download “Cyber-security checklist: Consider taking these steps if your business has been targeted,” and share it with your employees.
Explore what it’s like to work with a Merrill Financial Advisor
Then we can provide you with relevant answers.
Get started