{"id":7616,"date":"2022-08-30T00:06:24","date_gmt":"2022-08-29T14:36:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/adelaideprivatewealth.com.au\/how-to-guard-against-cyber-threats\/"},"modified":"2022-08-30T00:06:24","modified_gmt":"2022-08-29T14:36:24","slug":"how-to-guard-against-cyber-threats","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/adelaideprivatewealth.com.au\/how-to-guard-against-cyber-threats\/","title":{"rendered":"How to guard against cyber threats"},"content":{"rendered":"
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As technology creeps further into our everyday lives, cybercriminals are taking advantage of the latest that technology has to offer and carrying out increasingly sophisticated scams worth eye-watering sums.<\/strong><\/p>\n

In the 2020-21 financial year alone, individuals and businesses in Australia reported total losses of more than $33 billion. The main types of cybercrime were fraud (23 per cent), shopping (17 per cent), online banking (12 per cent) and ID theft (7 per cent); while Queenslanders were the most frequent targets, at 30 per cent of total reports.i<\/sup><\/p>\n

The federal government agency, the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) says there was an increase in the severity and impact of incidents last year with nearly half categorised as \u201csubstantial\u201d. They are also becoming more frequent. The agency received reports of cyberattacks at a rate of about one every eight minutes during the year, up from every 10 minutes the previous year.<\/p>\n

Business losses add up<\/h3>\n

Small to medium businesses were often in the firing line. Small businesses lost an average $8,899 each in cyber scams during the year while medium businesses lost an average $33,442 each. <\/p>\n

One of the most significant threats is so-called ransomware, malicious software that blocks access to a computer system until money is paid. The ACSC reports a 15 per cent increase in attacks with ransom demands ranging from thousands to millions of dollars. <\/p>\n

But it\u2019s not only the loss of money that affects organisations. The attacks also disrupt services and can damage the reputation of a business if the cybercriminals carry out their threat to release sensitive data. <\/p>\n

One regular scam has seen hackers gain access to a business\u2019s email account then email the firm\u2019s customers changing bank account details for upcoming payments. The payment redirection scams cost businesses $128 million in 2020 with small and micro businesses suffering most, according to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission\u2019s Scamwatch<\/a>. <\/p>\n

So how do scammers access your system?<\/p>\n

Phishing for cash<\/h3>\n

Most often these cyber criminals begin by fishing, or \u2018\u2019phishing\u201d for personal information. They do this through phishing emails, where the email appears to be a legitimate request for information, such as passwords or credit card information, or encourages the user to click a link to a website that installs malicious software on the computer. <\/p>\n

These phishing attacks can also come through mobile phone messages and from apparently trusted friends, colleagues or business partners. <\/p>\n

Another access point is via vulnerabilities in computer software. These vulnerabilities are regularly patched by the software vendors, so it is a good idea to keep on top of any software updates to keep your system more secure.<\/p>\n

Time for action<\/h3>\n

It might be difficult to imagine that anyone would bother to attack you or your business, but it appears cybercriminals don\u2019t discriminate when it comes to searching for victims. The ACSC notes that no one is immune from cybercrime. That includes everyone from government agencies, large organisations, critical infrastructure providers, small to medium businesses, families and individuals. <\/p>\n

So, it\u2019s important to take a few steps to keep you and your business as safe as possible. <\/p>\n

The ACSC guide<\/a> to protecting your business recommends improving your chances of warding off attacks by:<\/p>\n