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Tag: malware

  • Cybersecurity Starts With Your Team: Uncovering Threats and the Benefits of Training

    Cybersecurity Starts With Your Team: Uncovering Threats and the Benefits of Training

    When you think about cybersecurity, your mind might jump to firewalls, antivirus software or the latest security tools. But let’s take a step back—what about your team? The reality is that even with the best technology, your business is only as secure as the people who use it every day.

    Here’s the thing: cybercriminals are intelligent. They know that targeting employees is often the easiest way into your business. And the consequences? They can range from data breaches to financial losses and a lot of sleepless nights.

    So, let’s break this down. What threats should you be worried about, and how can regular training protect your team and business?

    Common cyberthreats that specifically target employees

    These are some of the main ways attackers try to trick your team:

    • Social engineering
      This is a tactic in almost all cybercriminal playbooks. Attackers rely on manipulation, posing as trusted individuals or creating urgency to fool employees into sharing confidential data or granting access. It’s about exploiting trust and human behavior rather than technology.
    • Phishing
      A popular form of social engineering, phishing involves deceptive emails or messages that look official but aim to steal sensitive information or prompt clicks on harmful links.
    • Malware
      Malware refers to malicious software designed to infiltrate systems and steal data, corrupt files or disrupt operations. It often enters through unintentional downloads or unsafe websites, putting your data and functionality at risk.
    • Ransomware
      A specific kind of malware, ransomware, encrypts files and demands payment to unlock them. It’s one of the most financially damaging attacks, holding businesses hostage until a hefty ransom is paid.
    Employee cyber awareness training and its benefits

    You wouldn’t let someone drive your car without knowing the rules of the road, right? The same logic applies here. Cyber awareness training equips your team with the knowledge to spot and stop threats before they escalate. It’s about turning your employees from potential targets into your first line of defense.

    The benefits of regular employee cyber awareness training are:

    • Fewer data breaches
      Well-trained employees are less likely to fall for phishing or other scams, which lowers the chance of a data breach.
    • Stronger compliance
      Many industries require security training to meet legal standards. By staying compliant, you avoid potential fines and build trust with partners.
    • Better reputation
      Showing a commitment to security through regular training shows clients and customers that you take data protection seriously.
    • Faster responses
      When employees know how to spot and report issues quickly, the response to any threat is faster and more effective, minimizing potential damage.
    • Reduced insider threats
      Educated employees understand the risks, minimizing both accidental and intentional insider threats.
    • Cost savings
      Data breaches come with huge costs, from legal fees to loss of customer trust. Training can lessen the chances of cyber incidents and save your company money in the long run.
    So, where do you start?

    Start with a solid cybersecurity program. This isn’t a one-and-done deal. It’s ongoing. Your team needs to stay updated on new threats and best practices. And it’s not just about sitting through a boring presentation. Make it engaging, practical and relevant to their daily roles.

    By investing in your team, you’re not just boosting their confidence—you’re safeguarding your business. And in a world where cyberthreats evolve faster than ever, that’s a win you can count on.

    Not sure how to do it alone? Send us a message. Our years of experience and expertise in cyber awareness training are exactly what you need.

  • OneNote Being Used to Spread Malware

     

    With Microsoft disabling macros by default on Office documents, cybercriminals are left needing another means to launch malware that’s victim-supported by default.

    We should expect nothing less of threat actors; when pushed up against a wall with their most powerful asset – Office macros – taken away from them, the most cunning of them will find alternative methods. The challenge for the most sophisticated of cybercriminals is to ensure that the greatest number of potential victims have the application needed that acts as the launcher.

    According to a recent tweet from email security company Prevention Point, a new method involving weaponized OneNote attachments has been spotted in the wild. The initial phish looks relatively standard for a socially-engineered email.

    With the OneNote execution looking somewhere between unexpected (after all, who ever needs to double-click a button within an application to see a supported document?) and sort of brilliant (I would assume that most knowledge workers haven’t interacted frequently with OneNote, so, “maybe this is how it works?”).

    And to boot, the default installation of Office 365 (that is, the software installed on a Windows endpoint) includes OneNote.

    The takeaway here is this is downright dangerous – threat actors have found yet another new way to engage with users in a way that helps move their attack forward with a double-click. This example of the constant evolution of the phish perfectly justifies why organizations need to keep users continually enrolled in security awareness training so that Joe User is always kept up on their toes with security top of mind.