Keep your business safe during holidays

Protecting Your Business: Heightened Hacker Attempts During Holidays

It’s essential for business owners to be aware of the risk of hacker attempts and online fraud year-round. During holiday closures, it’s important to be aware that cybercriminals exploit distractions and busy schedules, ramping up their attempts to steal information and infect systems.

In this article, we will highlight the importance of staying vigilant and proactive in safeguarding your business during holidays. 

  1. Recognize the Risks:
    Holidays bring a surge in hacker activity and fraudulent schemes. Stay informed about the potential threats that your business may encounter during this time. By understanding the risks, you can take appropriate measures to protect your valuable assets.
     
  2. Be Proactive with Security Measures:
    To fortify your defenses against cyber threats, implement robust security measures. Consider the following steps:
     
    1. Strengthen Passwords: Regularly update your login credentials and create strong, unique passwords that are difficult to guess. Include a combination of letters, numbers, and special characters.
       
    2. Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Add an extra layer of security to your online banking transactions by enabling MFA. This ensures that even if your password is compromised, unauthorized access is significantly more challenging.
       
    3. Stay Informed and Educate Employees: Keep yourself and your employees updated about potential phishing attempts and other fraudulent activities. Educate them on safe online practices, such as avoiding suspicious emails and text messages, and clicking on unknown links.
       
  3. Monitor Account Activity:
    Regularly review your account statements and transaction history. Promptly report any suspicious activity to your financial institution. Being proactive in monitoring your accounts allows you to identify and address any unauthorized transactions swiftly.
     
  4. Stay Cautious:
    Exercise caution when handling emails and text messages, especially those from unfamiliar sources. Cybercriminals often use social engineering techniques during holidays to deceive unsuspecting individuals. Be mindful of phishing attempts and avoid clicking on suspicious links or opening attachments from unknown senders.
     

While holidays and vacations can be a time of relaxation and time away from work, it’s crucial not to overlook the heightened risk of cyber threats. By staying informed, implementing strong security measures, and maintaining a vigilant mindset, you can protect your business from the increasing number of hacker attempts during this time. Remember, the security of your business accounts is a top priority. 

Peoples Bank will NEVER call or text you and ask for personal information, including account numbers, debit card numbers or online banking passwords. While we do contact customers about potentially fraudulent activity, no one should ever call or text you to make an account change or provide personal information.

If you receive a call from someone claiming to be a Peoples Bank representative and you are suspicious, hang up and call the number listed on your account statement or our official website: 877-802-1212.