Cyber crime is an increasingly dangerous threat due to the expanding reliance on technology in the business world. The University of Maryland conducted a study that suggests criminals hack a computer an average of 2,244 times each day, which breaks down to an attack every 39 seconds. Knowing the prevalence of these attacks, would you realize it if your business was being victimized by a hacker? While cyber liability insurance is a great way to protect yourself, it’s critical to understand the warning signs of cyber crime so you can quickly involve the authorities.
Abnormal Activity
Unusual database activity can provide clues on how to know if you’ve been hacked. Things to keep an eye on include database access occurring before or after regular business hours or originating from unknown locations. Discrepancies between devices and users or several failed login attempt notices are also red flags. Insider jobs should be suspected if you uncover changes to audit trails or permissions, or unusual instances of employees accessing sensitive data. Cyber liability insurance can help to minimize the financial loss in case of theft of sensitive data.
Phishing Issues
Other warning signs of being hacked include a large volume of phishing emails that appear to originate from the company’s domain or employees’ individual emails. Hackers often use breached servers to send out these dangerous emails.
Password Breaches
One of the most popular ways that hackers break into computer systems is by tricking employees to share their credentials or using a system flaw to gain entrance. An unusual number of employees reporting a “lock out” from the system or uncovering uninitiated password changes may be a sign of criminal infiltration.
Slow Network Speeds
A network operating at slower-than-normal speed is often the first sign of a cyber attack. The hacker’s attempt to infiltrate the system or activate malware can result in a network traffic increase that slows the internet down. The use of network resources to hack the system may negatively impact other business operations. Any sign of unusual speed or disruption of online services should be reported immediately for investigation.
Suspicious Software
Even the best preventive measures can’t always prevent criminal access. The presence of annoying ads, pop-ups, computer crashes, noticeable slowdowns, virus messages, browser redirection, diminished storage space, or disabled system tools are all warning signs of malware or spyware.
Computer crime is increasing in frequency, and the expanding reliance on technology throughout the world renders every business a potential victim. By training your employees to recognize the signs of a cyber attack, you can ensure that you will report the attack before the damage is too severe. In addition, by backing up files, utilizing quality security suites, and obtaining cyber liability insurance, you can have peace of mind that you have protected your business against cyber crime.
About Haughn & Associates
Founded by Michael Haughn in 1986, Haughn & Associates is a full-service, family-owned, independent insurance agency based out of Dublin, Ohio. H&A strives to provide the best possible price and unique insurance solutions across a myriad of industries, including construction, IT, Habitation & Commercial Property, Agriculture, and Engineering. Devoted to providing the best of business insurance, life and disability insurance, personal insurance, employee benefits, and bonds, H&A is proof that success lies in long-standing client relations and satisfaction. To learn more about how H&A can be of service to you, contact us at (877) 802-2278.
