Nowadays, digital scams are everywhere, and cybercriminals are always on the lookout to snag businesses’ hard-earned cash.
In Australia, a cybercrime is reported every six minutes1 – yep, you read that right!
What’s worse is about 43 per cent of cyberattacks in Australia target small businesses2.
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This includes hardworking tradies, who pour their blood, sweat and tears into their operations.
From fake invoices in your email to scam calls using fake AI voices, scammers have a ton of tricks up their sleeves. If you’re a tradie running your own gig, data safety may not be at the top of your to-do list. You might assume that hackers wouldn’t bother with a small business like yours which means you might not have a cyber risk plan in place, making your business a perfect target for cyber criminals.
Digital exposure
Here are some common cyber risks for tradies and tips on how to avoid them: –
- Checking your bank account on public Wi-Fi: Avoid making payments or checking your accounts on public networks. If conducting business on the go is a must, stick to trusted, secure networks.
- Using the same password everywhere: This can be a big red flag. Instead, use a password manager for complicated passwords and enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) wherever possible.
- Not paying close attention to invoices: Scammers may send fake invoices, hoping you’ll pay without double-checking the details. Always verify that the account info matches what you have on file, especially for invoices from trusted suppliers. If something looks off, call to confirm the change instead of replying to the email or SMS.
- Hitting snooze on security updates: Cybercriminals thrive on known vulnerabilities. Make sure to accept security updates on your devices as soon as they come through.
- Clicking dodgy links: Always double-check the sender’s email address before clicking on any links. If you’re uncertain, go directly to the organisation’s website or call the contact to verify.
Stay protected
Even with the latest software updates and antivirus programs, cybercriminals may still find a way in to your systems. That’s where Cyber Liability insurance may come in handy. This insurance is designed to cover losses from things like data breaches, business interruptions, and the expenses that follow a cyberattack.
Last year, small businesses faced costs averaging $49,600 per cyberattack1! That’s a hefty bill for any tradie to deal with alone, so having the right protections is super important.
Cyber Liability insurance not only helps you financially if something goes wrong, but many policies also give you access to a 24/7 IT support hotline, so you can get the help you need to stop an attack and minimise the damage.