CYBER-crime is not a new phenomenon, and most will smell a rat when presented with the opportunity of a lifetime to make huge sums of cash. Usually, this will be in exchange for giving a stranger access to your bank account to help secure ‘inheritance’ from a rich relative.
While most scams are easily spotted, criminals are becoming increasingly sophisticated in how they go about attempting to steal our data or access our bank accounts.
With more of us working remotely as a result of the pandemic, there has been a surge in the number of scams perpetrated against businesses and members of the public across Northern Ireland.
The latest PSNI figures reveal that more than £6.5million was stolen from victims of cyber-crime in just 12 months. According to the NI Direct website, you are more likely to be a victim of fraud or cyber-crime over any other crime in Northern Ireland.
The statistics show that £6,543,078 was lost between May 2020 and April 2021 — that equates to over £500,000 every month.
Meanwhile, new figures from Action Fraud showed there were 5,872 reports of fraud in Northern Ireland from April 2020 to March 2021, up from 4,272 in the previous year which is an increase of 37 per cent.
Applying the old adage, ‘if something’s too good to be true then it usually is’ should be your first defence. However there are a number of practical steps you can take to help keep you more secure online.
• Make sure any websites you use are secure. Reliable websites start with HTTPS, not HTTP.
• Once the page has loaded, make sure the website address that you have entered hasn’t changed to a slightly different spelling.
• Use safe and secure wi-fi connections.
• Keep virus protection software up-to-date.
• Make sure all accounts have a strong password. Don’t use the same password for multiple accounts and change them regularly.
As online criminality increases, a dedicated cyber insurance policy can help bring peace of mind if the worst does happen.
The best insurance brokers can arrange cover for businesses on a standalone cyber insurance policy which helps to counteract the threats posed by hackers to your data as well as helping to protect your brand.
Cyber risks may consist of imitation fraud, phishing, ransomware or extortion. Brokers can assist in arranging protection so you can immediately respond to such an attack, as well as get assistance with ongoing costs such as overtime to rectify systems or liability lawsuits which the business may be subjected to.
Cyber insurance will provide for your computers, data and cyber risks and provide you with peace of mind in the event of this type of incident occurring.
Our dedicated team of experts take the time to understand your needs and will help you assess any additional elements of cover you may need, so you have a tailored package that safeguards your business.
:: Katherine Medwell, is commercial account executive AbbeyAutoline (www.abbeyautoline.co.uk)
