Tom's Blog
In the cyber world in which we live, email is a crucial part of our business day, so it is easy for us to just assume it is safe. However, think about it…all it takes is one click of the mouse for a heap of trouble to occur. One tiny click on a link or advertisement could mean a virus being spread to everyone on your contact list at work. The second each of these people opens this email, it can spread the virus to all of THEIR contacts, creating a huge domino effect! In a matter of minutes, the entire business working system could be infected and rendered inoperable, resulting in a system shutdown for days in order to recover all the data. Below are some guidelines to promote email and internet security for your business protection.
Guidelines to Email and Internet Security
Once a virus has been spread, everything comes to a “screeching halt” and now there are angry customers, upset coworkers, and lost files that may never be recovered. Below are some guidelines for safety in our digital world:
- Never open emails or attachments if the source is unfamiliar or unknown. Simply delete it without opening.
- Never click on suspicious links as many are “masked” which means they will not take you to the address they promise to take you. It usually will be a fake website.
- Never copy a questionable link to your browser. Instead, hover over the link with your cursor and check to see if it matches the one that is intended.
- Never open an email from someone you know if it looks suspicious or you weren’t expecting an email from that person. Determine whether the subject matter is appropriate and work related.
*Keep in mind that although anti-virus software can catch most viruses, it can’t catch ones it doesn’t know about.
Beware of the Imposters!
A popular scam on the internet involves a person posing as someone you know and then encouraging you to click on a link for a free product, service, or business opportunity. Anytime you receive a suspicious email from someone you know, yet you question its authenticity, it may be wise to contact that person in some other mode of contact (other than email) to see if they sent you something. It’s better to be safe than sorry in this case.
What if You Get a Virus?
If you suspect a virus on your work computer, immediately contact your business network administrator. If you can not reach your administrator, then shut down the power on your computer or unplug the computer without resuming work on it until the issue has been cleared. When working with emails on your computer, always use extra precautions to create a safe online experience; one WITHOUT a virus!
When using business computers, safety is optimal! Never download software from the internet, don’t save passwords for websites, and don’t use the same passwords for different sites. Your computer does not come with a red, flashing WARNING sign when your business computer has been exposed to a virus. You must use your best judgment and follow the guidelines presented for YOUR internet security.
Contact us at 866-869-3335, so we can answer any of your business questions related to internet and email security for your protection!
