Below is a list of the most common ones to keep in your sight.

Unexpected File Changes

A hacker will always try to make sure their presence goes undetected. If successful, they can make changes to the company files that, unless you’re looking for them, can go undetected for months.

If your IT department doesn’t monitor file changes on a regular basis and misses these subtle changes, the hackers could inflict unspeakable damage. To that end, all employees must be alert and observant to detect anomalies immediately and report them in real-time.

Loss of Access to User Accounts

Losing access to your account is another tell-tale sign of a data breach. Usually, this could mean that the employee is a victim of a phishing scam, and the hacker has accessed and altered their login details.

Here, the primary goal is to mitigate damages as soon as the team member experiences this problem. To help reduce the effects of such an attack, the IT department should have clear policies and emergency procedures for such breaches.

Consider implementing multifactor authentication if you haven’t already. This defense system offers an extra layer of security because users must validate their accounts in addition to inputting their passwords.

Lagging Devices

Lagging computers at work is another warning sign of malware. You may notice sudden and frequent crashes. Typically, this happens because a virus has corrupted system files and is piggy-backing on your activities. Also, malware requires lots of bandwidth, hence why you may have a slow computer.

You must ensure that every company device has antivirus software installed to help spot malware in real-time. Again, staff must ensure they report to the IT team to prevent further damage.

Unusual System Activities

A few things to look out for are a lagging browser, a deluge of pop-up messages, frequent computer crashes and unusual antivirus warnings. You may also notice the device running even after shutting it down. Again, the best thing to do is report it immediately.

Suspicious Account Behavior

This data breach is perhaps the most concerning when it involves a privileged user’s account with access to confidential company information. The loss of data can cause ripple effects, including reputation damage, loss of customers, blackmail and worst case, business failure.

Cyberattacks and Breaches — Now’s the Time to Create Awareness

Knowing cyberattack warning signs is essential for all organizations. While some things may be out of your control, a few best practices like frequent monitoring of account logins, limiting access to specific information, and multifactor authentication can go a long way towards protecting your systems from cyberattacks.

About OIT

OIT is a leading IT provider and Modern Office Methods company. Services include Managed IT, Managed Cybersecurity, Microsoft Office 365 Services, Cloud Services, IT Consulting and IT Projects.

If you run a small or medium-sized business, it’s time to make cybersecurity a priority! Thankfully, there are things you can do right now to protect your business, even with limited resources. Here are five ways you can protect your business from bad actors.

1. Train Your Employees – Untrained employees can be a huge vulnerability. It is critical to implement training so your front-line employees can recognize the warning signs, as well as how to keep risks low. You should also put a system in place to report any signs of an attack. Cybersecurity training should be done regularly to keep your team up to speed on the latest threats.
2. Create a “System Security Plan” – A system security plan (SSP) is a summary of everything you are doing to keep your data safe. An SSP defines the features of your system including hardware, software, security in place, training, and incident-response plans. The plan should include details on how to limit access to unauthorized users, security best practices for employees and how they should respond in the event of a breach.
3. Keep Software Patched and Updated – Outdated software increases your risk of exposure. Hackers often study the latest software updates to target businesses that are behind in adopting them.
4. Implement Secure Password Policies – Never recycle passwords and update them regularly. Avoid simple passwords like birthdays, phone numbers, or other easy to crack phrases. Passwords should be more than eight characters including numbers and symbols. The more complicated, the better!
5. When in Doubt Outsource – Technology has become more complex and it’s easy to feel overwhelmed trying to manage the ever-changing cybersecurity landscape – that’s why many SMBs put off dealing with their cybersecurity. This could be a costly mistake. Many companies specialize in helping businesses improve their security. The money you spend is a small investment compared to what a breach can cost your company.

Running a business is a complex, time-consuming labor of love. Don’t place cybersecurity on the back burner. Make your company’s cybersecurity a priority to keep it safe and primed for success.

About Optimized IT

Optimized IT is a leading IT provider and Modern Office Methods company. Services include Managed IT, Managed Cybersecurity, Microsoft Office 365 Services, Cloud Services, IT Consulting and IT Projects.