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The Saskatoon IT experts at Anchor Managed Solutions understand that technology is vital to helping businesses accomplish their business goals. We also know that having the right IT partner can make all the difference. Anchor provides 24/7 professional IT services. In our latest IT Tip, we share information about the rise of cybercrime in the holiday season.

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Cyber Crime and The Holiday - A Risky Time For Business!

There is a well-documented correlation between holidays and an increase in cyber crimes. Cybercriminals tend to take advantage of the increased online activity during holidays to launch phishing attacks, distribute malware, and engage in other types of fraudulent activities.

There are several reasons why holidays are particularly vulnerable times for cyber crimes. Firstly, people tend to let their guard down during holidays and maybe likelier to click on suspicious links or download malware without fully vetting them. Additionally, many people are on vacation during holidays, which means they may be accessing the internet from unsecured public Wi-Fi networks or using devices that are not adequately secured.

Another factor contributing to the increase in cyber crimes during holidays is that many businesses and organizations may have reduced staffing levels during these times. This can make it more difficult for IT departments to monitor and respond to potential cyber threats.

To protect yourself from cyber crimes during holidays, it is important to remain vigilant and take steps to secure your devices and online accounts. This may include using strong passwords, keeping your software up-to-date, avoiding public Wi-Fi networks, and being wary of suspicious emails and links. Additionally, businesses and organizations can take steps to bolster their cybersecurity measures during holidays, such as increasing staff levels or implementing additional security protocols.

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Several high-profile cyber attacks have targeted large companies during holiday seasons in recent years. Here are a few examples:

1. Target: In 2013, Target suffered a massive data breach during the holiday shopping season. Hackers were able to steal the credit and debit card information of 40 million customers, as well as the personal information of 70 million customers, including names, addresses, and phone numbers.
2. Sony Pictures: In 2014, Sony Pictures was targeted in a cyber attack that was attributed to North Korea. The attack resulted in the theft of sensitive company data, including unreleased movies, employee information, and executive emails. The attack occurred just before the release of the movie "The Interview," which depicted the assassination of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.
3. Marriott International: In 2018, Marriott International announced that it had suffered a data breach that had exposed the personal information of up to 500 million customers. The breach, which occurred over a four-year period, was discovered in November of that year and was believed to have been the work of Chinese hackers.
4. Twitter: In July 2020, Twitter suffered a major security breach that resulted in the takeover of several high-profile accounts, including those belonging to Barack Obama, Elon Musk, and Bill Gates. The hackers used the compromised accounts to promote a Bitcoin scam, resulting in losses of over $100,000.

These examples illustrate the seriousness of the threat posed by cyber criminals during holiday seasons and the importance of taking steps to protect against such attacks.

Take a proactive approach to IT and Cyber Security; take your focus off technology and back onto what matters: growing your business. Cintact our team today and we can offer a risk free assessment of your IT security!

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Anchor Managed Solutions is a Trusted Saskatoon IT Expert

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