Cyber attacks increase during the festive season – how to reduce the risk of attacks over Christmas

Three of four cyber attacks occur when people are out of the office. The Christmas period is no exception. According to Dennie Karlsson, Group CISO at Dustin, Christmas is a perfect time of year for phishing attempts. He describes what you should think about to prevent cyber attacks during the festive season.

Phishing emails increase during holiday periods
Phishing is now one of the most common types of attacks used by cyber criminals. According to Gartner*, phishing accounts for 45 per cent of all ransomware attacks. Phishing refers to any e-mail or text message designed to trick the receiver into opening a document, visiting a website or downloading a file by clicking a link.

“From the attacker’s perspective, Christmas is the optimal time for phishing emails. A link offering a Christmas present, for example, is a perfect lure. Moreover, the attackers often create a false sense of urgency to manipulate us into acting fast without thinking first. Therefore, use extreme caution if you receive an email or text message that urges you to click a link,” says Dennie Karlsson.

The STAR method
An effective way to prevent cyber attacks is to use the STAR method – Stop, Think, Ask and Report.

“The STAR method is very effective. Stop – do not click the link, and ignore any other requests. Think carefully, and assess the risk based on what you know. Asksomeone for a second opinion, and Report the suspected phishing attempt,” says Dennie Karlsson.

Mid-size enterprises most affected
The majority of cyber attack victims are mid-size enterprises. According to Gartner*, 82 per cent of all attacks target enterprises and organisations with less than 1,000 employees.

“These enterprises are particularly vulnerable because they don’t always have their own cybersecurity department. If you work in an enterprise like this, it’s particularly important that you remember to stay calm, do not act too hastily, and never click a link or respond to any urgent calls to action. By keeping this in mind, you will minimise the risk of a cyber attack over Christmas,” says Dennie Karlsson.

* Source: Ransomware in Midsize Enterprises – Gartner