The festive season is upon us,

and as we embrace the holiday spirit, it's crucial for businesses to remain vigilant against the heightened threat of cyber attacks. WildFrog Systems, your local IT experts in Abbotsford, are here to guide you through the potential risks and provide an action plan to ensure your business keeps thriving over the holidays.

Understanding the Risks

The holiday season witnesses a surge in cyber attacks for several reasons. First and foremost, the increased prevalence of online shopping creates a breeding ground for malicious activity. Cybercriminals capitalize on the influx of transactions, seeking to exploit vulnerabilities in the e-commerce infrastructure.

Moreover, the relaxed atmosphere during the holidays contributes to a lax approach towards cybersecurity. Employees, caught up in the festivities, may forget to maintain essential security measures, such as backups and software updates. This oversight can leave businesses susceptible to attacks that exploit unpatched vulnerabilities.

Lastly, the holidays present an opportune time for cybercriminals to strike as companies are often more willing to pay ransoms. Many industries rely heavily on this time of the year, and the pressure to maintain operations during the festive season can lead to a higher likelihood of succumbing to extortion demands. Cybercriminals recognize the urgency and may target companies knowing that the cost of downtime during the holidays is often far more significant than the ransom requested.

Common Holiday Cyber Attacks

Understanding the common types of cyber attacks prevalent during the holidays is key to developing a robust defense strategy.

Phone Call Phishing (Vishing): Cybercriminals may employ tactics such as vishing, where they impersonate legitimate entities over the phone, attempting to extract sensitive information. It's essential to educate employees about the importance of verifying the identity of callers, even if they seem familiar.

Ransomware Attacks: Ransomware is a significant threat during the holidays. Malicious software encrypts files, rendering them inaccessible until a ransom is paid. Regular backups and a proactive cybersecurity stance are crucial to mitigating this risk.

Password-Reset Attacks: Cybercriminals may attempt to exploit password vulnerabilities, gaining unauthorized access to critical accounts. Implementing robust password policies and multi-factor authentication can add an extra layer of protection.

Securing Your Company's Workstations

To safeguard your business during the holidays, here are some practical tips:

Voice Authentication Caution: With technology now capable of mimicking voices convincingly, it's crucial to exercise caution when receiving calls requesting sensitive information.

Secure Online Shopping: Avoid using public Wi-Fi for online shopping, and always verify that the websites you visit have a secure connection.

Maintain Backups and Updates: Regularly backup your data and ensure that software and security updates are consistently implemented, even during the holiday season. This is also important because of the number of power outages we experience in the Fraser Valley over the winter. Read about how to prepare HERE, and why it is important to prepare HERE.

Consistent Security Policies: Apply the same level of caution and security policies when working remotely or on mobile devices as you do in the office. Here’s a helpful blog post on the importance of keeping kids away from your work phone, which is applicable to all the time spent with family over the holidays!

Employee Training: Equip your team with the knowledge to identify phishing attempts and scams, fostering a cybersecurity-aware workplace culture. We wrote a helpful blog post on how to spot phishing emails HERE.

If you have not yet addressed business IT vulnerabilities, check out this blog post HERE to get started on identifying and implementing those before the holiday season.

Optimizing Security in Abbotsford, Chilliwack, and Langley

As your local tech support in Abbotsford, WildFrog Systems emphasizes the importance of integrating these security measures into your business practices. By adopting a proactive approach, you can ensure that your company remains resilient against cyber threats throughout the holidays. Having a local IT Service provider such as ourselves is critical in responding to emergencies as quickly as possible, minimizing damages to your business. If your IT provider is far away and has slow response times, now may be the time to switch to safeguard your business over the holidays.

Remember, safeguarding your business is not just a seasonal endeavour but an ongoing commitment to protecting your business. For comprehensive tech support and cybersecurity solutions in Abbotsford, Chilliwack, and Langley, trust WildFrog Systems to keep your business secure all year round.

Stay safe, stay secure, and have a happy holiday season!

WildFrog Systems - Your Trusted Partner in Tech Security