Gamuda Rise NewsletterGamuda Rise NewsletterFreepik.com
Sheena Wong and Ivan Yeh
Social media has transformed the way we interact and work.
Over 70% of businesses today have Facebook accounts, and almost as many are on Twitter. Research has shown that nearly 80% of employees use social media in the office. It has become a part of our life to connect with our family and friends on social media.
At the same time, scams are prevalent across Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and LinkedIn. These social media platforms are packed with exciting content that can be a great disguise for malicious links. Social media also encourages you to share information and connect with people, opening you to phishing attacks.
All of this should not discourage you from using social media because you can take sensible precautions to safeguard your privacy and the business needs by asking these critical questions.
Scammers will do anything to attract you to click that link. You may get a legitimate-looking email informing you that your account will be locked if you do not log in immediately via a given link. Or you may receive a message, apparently from a friend or colleague, inviting you to click on an amazing offer or an interesting video.
Whenever you see a link, you must treat it with a healthy dose of suspicion. Pick up the phone to verify with the sender about that request sent to your inbox. Go to the website directly by typing in the URL yourself to check your account. While this may seem like a hassle, it is well worth taking the extra five minutes to avoid the trap.
Cybersecurity attacks can leverage users’ contacts, location, and even business activities. Think about the information you share online. Are you sharing too much details that could allow someone to impersonate you? Are you sharing potentially sensitive data about your business?
Avoid accepting every invitation to connect, and consider restricting access to your profile. Most people let their guard down on social media, which can come back to haunt them at some point in the future. Always think about your activities online and take responsibility for your cybersecurity hygiene.
For more cybersecurity best practices, visit Workplace and take these information posters as a constant reminder to be aware of the latest cyber threats and stay vigilant.
We continue to protect our company data and networks with strong governance and policies. Refer to Gamuda’s Social Media and Information Security policies available on GES.