The 28th of January was international Data Privacy Day and it served as a reminder to all of us how easily a sophisticated hacker could access private data or bring a computer network to its knees.
Here are some quick and simple tips to avoid befalling one of these cyber pirates:
- Email red flags
- The time of the email – would your boss really send you an email at 2am?
- Irregular language, such as ‘wire transfer’ (US) as opposed to ‘EFT’ (Australia)
- Poor grammar in an email, indicating that English may not be the writer’s first language
- Strange requests from people inside (or outside) your organisation, such as funds transfers, or requests for personal details
- Email vigilance
- Do not open an email from someone that you do not know
- Do not open unknown attachments
- Check the domain name attached to an email address – if it looks suspicious, it may be a fake account
- Virus protection
- Install a firewall
- Maintain anti-virus software
- Make sure your computer software and hardware is up to date
- Check that your work and home Wi-Fi is safe and secure
- Client communications
- Follow up a request to change bank account details with a phone call
- Avoid PC risks
- Internet cafes
- Public Wi-Fi networks
- Cold calls
False emails can look pretty convincing nowadays, and it only takes one innocent click on a link to unleash fury on your IT environment.
So be aware – always – and heed the advice above. It could save you a whole lot of pain in the long run.
About the author
Greg Quin is a Director at HLB Mann Judd Insolvency WA and has been with the team for 10 years. Greg oversees the daily operations of the many insolvency appointments managed by the HLB Insolvency team and looks after the operations of the practice.
If you have any queries about insolvency matters, please feel free to contact Greg on 08 9215 7900, 0402 943 091 or via email to gquin@hlbinsol.com.au.
