Common Cyber Scams and IT Security Tools to Combat Them

Encountering a scam is like wandering into a dodgy back alley of the internet. You might receive an enticing email promising a windfall or a social media friend requesting urgent financial help. But how do you resist? And more importantly, how do you ensure your employees will resist, too? Let’s find out how to utilize IT security to protect your organization from these cyber scams.

Are IT Security Tools Really That Important?

As long as you don’t open attachments from strangers, you should be safe from cyber scams, right? Wrong. Cybercriminals are getting more sophisticated every day, and even the most cautious internet users can fall prey to their schemes. Here are just a few stats that might surprise you:

• In 2023, ransomware drove more than 72% of cybersecurity incidents. 
• Email is the delivery method for 96% of phishing attempts. 
• According to IBM, phishing incidents resulted in an average cost of $4.9 million for businesses in 2023. 
• Last year, 93% of organizations experienced two or more breaches related to identity. 
• On average, ransomware victims permanently lose 43% of the data impacted by an attack.

This is where IT security tools come in—they act as a protective barrier between your organization and malicious actors. With these tools, you can secure your network, devices, and data against common cyber scams. But what are some of the most effective IT security tools for combating these threats? Let’s take a closer look at a few of them.

How to Properly Defend Against Common Cyber Scams

Each type of scam requires a unique approach to defend against it. We’ve created a list of the most prevalent cyber scams and the security tools you can use to combat them.

Phishing Scams

Phishing scams are one of the most common types of cyber scams, typically taking the form of an email, message, or even a fake website designed to trick you into giving away sensitive information. The best defense against phishing scams is a combination of employee training and security tools.

• Email Filters: These filters can block suspicious emails from reaching your inbox, reducing the chances of employees falling for a phishing attack.
• Regular Employee Training: Regular training sessions on how to identify and avoid phishing scams can help employees become more vigilant.
• Two-Factor Authentication: Implementing two-factor authentication adds an extra layer of security, making it harder for cybercriminals to access sensitive data.

Ransomware Attacks

Ransomware is a type of malicious software that encrypts your files and demands payment in exchange for the decryption key. To protect against ransomware attacks, use the following IT security tools:

• Anti-Virus and Anti-Malware Software: These tools can prevent ransomware from being downloaded onto your system.
• Multiple Data Backups: Regularly backing up your data ensures that you have a copy of important files in case they are encrypted by ransomware.
• Firewalls: Firewalls act as a barrier between your organization’s network and the internet, preventing unauthorized access and helping to block ransomware attacks.
• Multi-Factor Authentication: Implementing multi-factor authentication for systems and applications can help prevent unauthorized access and reduce the likelihood of ransomware attacks.

Cyber Hack

A cyber hack is a type of scam where an attacker gains unauthorized access to your system or network, usually through exploiting vulnerabilities in software or weak passwords. To defend against cyber hacks, consider implementing these IT security tools:

• Encryption: Encryption tools can protect your sensitive data, making it unreadable even if it falls into the wrong hands.
• Password Managers: Password managers help employees create and store strong, unique passwords for their different accounts, reducing the risk of weak password attacks.
• Managed Service Provider: A managed service provider can monitor and manage your IT infrastructure 24/7. Their consistent protection can safeguard all vulnerable areas and detect and respond to every threat.

Access Every IT Tool With Help From Safety Net

Cyber scams are constantly evolving, so your security tools must be continually updated and monitored. Safety Net is a leading managed service provider offering a full suite of security solutions to keep your organization safe. From employee training and email filters to 24/7 network monitoring and encryption services, we have everything you need to protect against common cyber scams. Keep your business safe and secure with Safety Net.