The Seasonality of Cyber Crime: Trends You Should Know

With the rapid advancement and sophistication of cyber-criminals today, there is a simple element to their capabilities that is easily overlooked but extremely important to remember concerning your IT security. Just like us, they are human too.

Now, by no means does this statement go towards saying that they are, at all, just or valid in the actions they take on individuals and businesses. It does, however, allow you to take a step back and remember that they do witness the same seasonal shifts and fluctuations as you when it comes to your business and the attitudes and behaviors of not only your employees but your consumers too.

While it's still essential for you to be aware of the overall threats your business could be at risk from due to digital transformation, it's equally as necessary to be mindful of the seasonality within your business that could be taken advantage of.

No Rest for the Wicked: Summer Time

Though summer is now coming to an end, the key point to be made about this time of the year is that it is a peak time for vacations and relaxing getaways; a time for you to set up that automated email letting your colleagues know that you won't be around between specified dates; and a time for you to show off your exciting destination away from the office on your social media.

However, with the use of bots and other automated softwares, these common ways of communicating can now be easily pin-pointed and used against you as a "leakage point", providing cyber-criminals with the information they need to target you while you are away and not in a mind-set to deal with the issue.

Delaying response can be detrimental to your business, but everyone needs a break away from the office, so making sure your systems are up to date, as well as ensuring that your monitoring and security measures are in place while you are gone can protect from the cyber criminals who know that a system breach is the last thing on your mind.

Digitally Evolving: The Tax Season

During the tax season, there is a key evolving opportunity for cyber criminals to obtain tax payers personal information, such as social security numbers and private income data that can lead to identity theft and fraud. With the consistent presence of stress during this time, due to the general sense of urgency around meeting deadlines, in combination with the increasing switch to digital filing, this creates the perfect environment to take advantage of.

When it comes to the common tactics of impersonating the IRS or any other government agencies many people can make the mistake of falling victim to the common manipulations of:

a. A phone call, email, or text that demands payment, creates a strong sense of urgency, or threats of arrest if action is not taken

b. Malware Schemes - An email with an attachment making a claim that really infects your systems with a virus, or spyware

c. An email asking to verify information about your taxes or other financial matters

d. An email or phone call with enticing offers, such as how to receive your tax return refund early

e. An email message with incorrect spelling, phrasing or language that demands personal or financial information like social security, credit card numbers, or bank account numbers

Currently we are amidst the 2022 non-provisional tax- season which began on July 1st and will end on October 24th. As for the 2023 tax season, protecting yourself between early January and October 15 is something to get prepared for.

Tis the Season: The Holidays

Remaining the highest time of the year for cyber crime, hackers know that consumers' online spending sky rockets and for many businesses this is their busiest period, leaving their resources stretched thin.

Especially after seeing a massive surge of shortages for the travel, e-commerce & retail, and supply chain & logistics industries in 2021, there is a growing presence of threats that leave businesses vulnerable to attacks like malware, and network breaches that can give them access to millions of employees' and consumers' information in their databases.

Knowing what your business is like during the holiday season and having the right security measures in place to protect yourself from the various types of threats that could be targeted towards your business and your consumers is essential this holiday season.

Learn What Capital Office Products Can Do For You

By partnering with Capital Office Products, you can be sure to have a partner that evolves with you. Always keeping up with the trends and armed with the latest technology to back your needs, you can be rest assured that you are well protected before an incident occurs.

Our company has been a trusted managed service provider in South Carolina for 25 years. Big or small, we have experience servicing small businesses, churches, Fortune 500 companies, schools, medium sized work groups, and everything in between.

We boast an award winning full service department with same-day service response and excellent customer service every step of the way. Service is our specialty.