The outbreak of COVID-19 has unfortunately provided an opportunity for cyber security threats to multiply, and many organizations may find themselves vulnerable. Attacks are now ranging from credential phishing and business email compromise (BEC) to fake landing pages and malware, all tied to the rapidly spreading coronavirus.

There are several steps individuals and businesses can take to prevent a cyber attack: 

• Run regular updates on your programs and operating system; developers are continually releasing fixes for security gaps, but these only offer protection if you run the updates

• Require devices to have two-factor authentication, which verifies a person's identity before logging in

• Ask employees to confirm that their home WiFi connections use WPA2 encryption and are password-protected

• Ensure employees have easy access to a list of approved remote work tools for communication

• Companies should maintain a reliable backup for their data on a different network

• Organizations should make sure their antivirus software is up to date

• All employees should be instructed to think twice before clicking links within emails. You may consider holding a phishing awareness training

Amidst the crisis, we’re looking for every opportunity to help our clients. Given that many businesses have temporarily shifted to work-from-home situations, or are in the midst of reevaluating their cyber security protocols, we’re making our IT team available to help you. For a complimentary technology consultation and security review, please contact our IT director at chris.hahn@newfront.com. We're available to discuss the systems you're currently using and offer recommendations to keep your workforce productive and secure.