FBI warns small businesses about rising cybercrime dangers

FBI warns small businesses about rising cybercrime dangers

The rate at which cybercrime is escalating and impacting small businesses is frightening, and consumers and small business owners need to be aware of the dangers. Most of us know that firewall and antivirus protection are necessary to keep computers safe, but many people use online banking without a second thought.

According to a recent USA Today article, however, the FBI and American Bankers Association (ABA) have indicated that online banking might not be as safe as you once thought. This is especially true for small businesses, which aren't afforded the same financial protections as individual consumers.

In fact, the ABA has recommended that small business owners use a dedicated computer to process payments. Using a PC that doesn't access a Web browser or e-mail account for other purposes is more protected from the banking Trojans used in cybercrime to pilfer information from businesses.

Why is cybercrime a threat?
Activities like online banking and processing payments via the Internet are what draw cybercrime gangs. According to USA Today, small businesses, non-profits and other similar entities are prime targets because they aren't large enough to have significant protection, but they have sufficient financial resources to attract thieves.

If you are the victim of a banking Trojan, every action you complete online could potentially fall into the hands of cybercrime gangs. This includes online banking login information, and if those details are leaked, your small business could find itself in serious trouble.

The ABA's position is to allow each banking institution to set up its own anti-crime solutions, which means that all banks are not necessarily created equal. Furthermore, it isn't that difficult for cybercrime gangs to obtain your information and bleed you of funds.

How does it work?
There are several ways that a cybercrime gang could victimize a small business, but banking Trojans are typically spread by clicking on fraudulent Web sites. An accounting employee of a small business, for example, might receive an invoice or some other official-looking document from the criminal, then click on the link inside the e-mail. Once the user visits the Web site, the Trojan is active.

Protecting your business
Again, the ABA and FBI encourage small business owners to set up dedicated PCs for all financial transactions if they want to avoid cybercrime gangs. Employees should be made aware of the danger and should be encouraged not to follow links they receive in e-mails. Instead, they should type Web addresses directly into their browsers.

It is also a good idea for small business owners to keep careful watch over their finances. Regular audits of checking, credit card and other accounts might catch suspicious transactions before cybercrime gangs can do much damage.

Published: January 20,2023