Avoiding Cybercrime

Recently a few SIA members received a fraudulent email appearing to be from SIA’s President, Penny Babb. SIA wants you to remind you that cybercrime is all around us and no company is immune.
 
Therefore, we want to take this opportunity to raise awareness about cybercrime and provide you with some tips on how to avoid becoming a victim. 
 
Cybercrime is criminal activity that either targets or uses a computer, a computer network, or a networked device. Most, but not all, cybercrime is committed by cybercriminals or hackers who want to make money.  Here are some specific examples of cybercrime: 

• Phishing (when spam emails or other forms of communications are sent en masse with the intention of tricking recipients into doing something that undermines their security or the organization they work for - such as the email from President Penny)
• Email and internet fraud
• Identity fraud (where personal information is stolen and used)
• Theft of financial or credit card payment data
• Theft and sale of corporate data
• Cyberextortion (demanding money to prevent a threatened attack)
• Malware attacks (when a computer system or network is infected with a computer virus or other type of malware)
• Distributed DoS attacks (bring down a system or network sometimes to create a distraction while another type of cybercrime takes place) 

How to Protect Yourself Against Cyber Crime 

• Never open or forward attachments in spam emails. Clicking on links in spam emails or forwarding such emails can make you and other victims of cybercrime.
• Contact SIAHQ or other companies directly about suspicious requests. If you are asked for data from a company that has called you, hang up. Call them back using the number on their official website to ensure you are speaking to them and not a cybercriminal. Ideally, use a different phone because cybercriminals can hold the line open. When you think you have redialed, they can pretend to be the organization that you think you are speaking to.
• Use strong passwords. Be sure to use strong passwords that people will not guess and do not record them anywhere. Or use a reputable password manager to generate strong passwords randomly to make this easier.
• Be mindful of which website URLs you visit. Before clicking on URLs make sure they look legitimate and avoid clicking on links with unfamiliar or those that appear to be spam.
• Do not give out personal information unless secure. Never give out your personal data over the phone or via email unless you are completely sure the line or email is secure. Make certain that you are speaking to the person you think you are. 
• Keep software and operating system updated. Keeping your software and operating system up to date ensures that you benefit from the latest security patches to protect your computer.
• Use anti-virus software and keep it updated. Anti-virus software allows you to scan, detect and remove threats before they become a problem. If you use anti-virus software, make sure you keep it updated to get the best level of protection.

 
These tips should help you avoid becoming a victim of cybercrime. However, if you suspect you may be a victim of a cybercrime it is important that you contact your financial institutions (banks and credit card companies) and notify them immediately of suspicious transactions. The bank can investigate whether these transactions are fraudulent.
 
Please do not hesitate to email us (siahq@soroptimist.org) if we can answer any questions.