If you are like most, the panic to finish your holiday shopping is starting to set in. The realization that orders may not ship in time is very real - and very daunting.

It's likely you will have employees spending their breaks and lunch hours double checking orders, tracking packages, and possibly even making last-minute online purchases. It's not uncommon or even unusual this time of year. Every minute counts when you're racing against the calendar.

Unfortunately, it is this hurry-up-and-get-it-done attitude that lands millions of people in the proverbial pickle with bad actors. When we are in a panicked rush or are preoccupied with other tasks and responsibilities, our common sense tends to take a bit of a hiatus.  

Scammers are good at recognizing these behaviors and sending phishing messages such as ‘package delayed’, ‘order cannot be processed’, or ‘failed delivery attempt’, to name a few. The emails typically have a link for you to correct the issue. In a panic, victims click the link and before they even have time to think about what they have done, they have provided the initiating party with personal information – subjecting their data, possibly your data, and your network to an outside intruder.

Continuously reminding your team of the risks and dangers may seem repetitive or even cause you to feel as though you are belittling them, but the more everyone hears it, the less likely they are to mindlessly click a malicious link. The importance of verifying links is something that needs to become second nature. The bad actors continue to get more and more creative with their approaches. We, too, must adapt to the ever changing threats that surround us.  

Networks Plus can help! If you would like assistance implementing a cybersecurity plan or education program, we encourage you to contact us at consulting@networksplus.com.