4 False Assumptions About Cyber-Attackers You Must Know!

Introduction

Most businesses recognize the severe nature of cyber-attacks and the threat they pose. Yet other assumptions about cyberattackers may also make your business vulnerable. Educate your employees about these four main misconceptions. Raising awareness can help secure your systems against social engineering attacks.

Remember—the most dangerous criminal is a social engineer with digital skills. They can talk their way into your life and business or hack into your systems as opportunities arise.

Let’s discuss four dangerous assumptions that can ruin your life and business:

It Can’t Happen To Me

Start with the false assumption that your company’s cyber technology is 100 percent effective. This is as misguided as the idea that your business won’t be a cyberattack victim.

No known hardware and/or software combination will protect you 100% of the time.

?The best protection comes with a layered approach to security—hardware, software, good IT network design, oversight and management (EDR, SIEM, SOC, MDR, Employee Training).

But nothing is 100% secure. Remember, if it’s online, it can be hacked!

Attackers Are Impulsive—They Don’t Study Their Victims

Another false assumption is that threat actors go in blind with a scatter-shot approach. The truth is that good social engineers do their research first. They learn about their victims—your org chart, what your business does, the tone of internal emails, who your vendors are, etc. This helps them develop credible and, often, devastating attacks.

After they execute their scam, they’ll drop ransomware onto the network for further exploitation.

Many businesses don’t realize that a ransomware attack IS NOT the first and only damaging incident to occur!

I Only Have To Worry About Online Scams

Criminals may also make their play over the phone. One look at the news, and you’ll see story after story of phone and text scams. The scary thing is—how successful they are!

The bad actor may send an email without malicious links or attachments but with a number to call. Incoming calls generally go to a criminal call center. Sneaky, huh?

Old Emails Are Safe To Answer

Responding to existing emails isn’t always safe. It is very easy for hackers to hijack a user’s email. Then, use a pre-existing email thread, they’ll send malicious attachments or links.

Conclusion

Cybercriminals will use current events, disasters, and health crises. Nothing is sacred. Heck, they recently hacked the Pope!

Businesses and individuals must be on their guard at all times. Therefore, evaluate all incoming communications with a healthy dose of skepticism.

Be safe.

Joseph Imperato Sr. is a founding partner with XSolutions Consulting Services. XSolutions is a full-service Managed IT Services Provider (MSP) specializing in Managed IT Services | Managed IT Security | Backup & Disaster Recovery| Cloud Data Protection | Security Awareness Training. Proudly serving the New York Tristate area (NY/NJ/CT) since 1999.

Call (845) 362-9675 or email us at [email protected]?for a free consultation.