Over the last days and weeks there have been an increase in attempts to infiltrate networks, in particular, Russian backed hacking organisations. They aim to hack into cloud servers and hold companies to ransom.  If a payment is not made, then all their files are destroyed.

This has prompted us to write to you so that you can contact all your staff to remind them of what they should do as follows:

Do NOT open any unsolicited email that you do not recognise, but forward it, unopened to IT to investigate.

If you are tempted to click on a link in an email or on a website, hover your mouse over it and check that the web site you expected to go to is reflected in the “Hover text.”  If it is different, then do NOT click the link.

Be aware that emails containing “Unpaid Invoice” and “Your Parcel” type subjects and text are a favourite way for hackers to get information so make sure that they really are what they say they are.

If in any doubt, do not click on or open anything.

Never give out you private or business details over the phone or via email unless you are certain that you are speaking with someone who you can trust and that you were expecting to have to do this.  You cannot trust telephone numbers in emails that purport to come from customers or suppliers.  Always call the number you know rather than any on an email.  Always verify information which purports to make any change to your usual dealings with a customer or supplier.

Anyone who you don’t know who calls you to say that your computer is causing a problem, has a problem or is infected with whatever is a SCAM.

Ensure that staff utilises passwords and not obvious ones.

Finally, if you find a file that is not opening as you would expect, contact IT immediately and, if the file is on your PC, immediately shut it down and disconnect the network cable.

If someone emails you and makes an unusual request, you MUST contact them and verbally confirm what is required.