Avoiding Scam Phone Calls
Cybersecurity and your business
There has been an awful lot of talk about cybersecurity lately, especially with the threat of Russian and Eastern European bad actors appearing in the public discourse after the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
As for us here at Terrapin, we’ve been hearing from friends, colleagues, and customers asking: “What can I do to keep personal and business data safe and secure?”
So we thought it would be helpful to post some of Tim’s best practices and tips regarding cybersecurity.
But remember: while we do everything in our power to keep your customer’s data safe and protected, your own actions can go far in keeping data safe!
Think of it this way: we’ll set up the security system and install bars on the windows, but you still need to make sure the door is locked behind you when you leave.
Today’s post is Part One in our series of Cybersecurity and Your Business.
Over this series, we’ll be posting our best tech security tips in “bite-sized” pieces that you can immediately put into practice that’ll help keep your systems running more securely and, hopefully, help prevent you and your data from falling prey to these sorts of attacks.
Don’t forget, though, that we’re always here to help if you’ve got questions that go beyond our email tips. If you’ve got any doubts or questions on the validity of an email or a phone call etc.; do not hesitate to get in touch with us.
These fraudsters prey on the idea that we are easy to manipulate and that we “don’t know any better”. Use our expertise to beat them at their own game.
For the first part of our series, let’s talk PHONE CALLS. Specifically, phone scammers trying to access your data- and how you can block them from get-go.
Say you get a call from someone who “works for Microsoft”, or is a “vendor for your point-of-sale system”, or says they’re a security firm that “has to audit your network”, etc. etc.
Here’s how you handle each of these situations (it’s the same in every case). You don’t help them do anything except get in touch with us. Give them our helpdesk@terrapin.tech email address, and leave it at that.
Are they being pushy that you should bypass this step, saying they don’t need to speak with us, that this is a serious concern, they’re in a rush, and they don’t have time to contact your tech team?
Then it’s a no-go. Hang up immediately.
It’s common for phone scammers to know “insider information” like your first and last name, the name of your boss, the name of the company you work for, and where you’re located. Nowadays all of that “private” information is easily obtainable so it does not legitimize a caller. When in doubt, get Terrapin Networks involved.
That “rush” I mentioned, it’s another common tactic by fraudsters, and one you should be ready not to fall for.
They might say something on your network “has to be handled right now” or a catastrophic event will occur. It’s common for them to be pushy or to act like, “haven’t you been notified about this? Many emails have been sent out…”.
The hard truth? Scammers love to prey on the individuals’ willingness to help keep business moving. They’re ultimately looking for someone who will give them confidential information using whatever method they can. Don’t help them out!
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Got questions about your business’ cybersecurity set up? Give us a call via our Contact page or directly at helpdesk@terrapin.tech.
That’s it for Part One! Make sure to check out Part Two, “Securing Your Inbox”, available in a couple of days, and Part Three, “Attempting a Remote In“, available after that.