Cambridgeshire firms warned to stay safe this Cyber Monday
Shoppers are also being advised to stay cyber secure
Businesses in Cambridgeshire may want to make a quick buck on Cyber Monday, but are being told to do so securely.
Today's one of the last chances for shoppers to make a saving or two ahead of Christmas.
But figures from the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau found between last November and January this year, British people lost £10.6 million to online scammers.
And data from the National Cyber Security Centre showed for 2021-22, there were a total of 8,023 reports of social media hacking.
Charlotte Horobin's the CEO of the Cambridgeshire Chambers of Commerce:
"It's pertinent to turn to measures such as cybersecurity," she said.
"I think it's one of those things it's 'out of sight, out of mind and it would never happen to me' and it can be catastrophic for an organisation if you've not invested in the right steps to make sure you're cyber secure.
"I think our members will want to make sure they are utilising products and suppliers that adhere to the standards that would be expected."
Think twice before you buy
Fire chiefs are some who are urging people to think twice before they buy.
This is after a spate of e-bike and e-scooter fires in the country this year, which fire chiefs believe are caused by faulty or counterfeit products bought from online marketplaces which include faulty battery chargers, batteries and conversion kits.
They're also concerned that consumers will be enticed by cheap deals, opening up the risk of more dangerous and unregulated products bought online ending up in people’s homes and on our streets.
Gareth Boyd, station commander in community safety and prevention at Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service, said crews dealt with 5 fires across 2020 and 2021, but around "6 or 7 e-bike and e-scooter fires" in the last 12 months.
It's not clear if these fires were all due to faulty or counterfeit equipment.
Key tips for businesses against cyber attacks
- Backing up data: think about how much you rely on your business-critical data, such as customer details, quotes, orders, and payment details.
- Protection from malware: Malicious software, known as 'malware', is software or web content that can harm your organisation, the most well-known form of malware being viruses. Installing antivirus software, keeping IT equipment up to date and controlling how USB drives can be used are some measures.
- Keeping smartphones safe: switching on password protection, making sure lost or stolen devices are tracked and keeping device up to date are some protective measures.
- Using passwords: By using passwords to protect data on laptops, computers, tablets and smartphones, business and personal information can be made more secure.
- Avoid phishing attacks: Scammers send fake emails to thousands of people, asking for sensitive information like bank details, or containing links to bad websites. An attack could also trick you into sending money or steal your details to sell on.