Research shows that over 7% of employees are likely to click on 70% of phishing emails received. The high number of malware cases affects unsuspecting workers who have limited knowledge of cybersecurity.

The outbreak of the pandemic paralyzed the normal company operations. After governments’ directives on social distancing, most employees began working online from home, which has had a significant impact on cybersecurity. Read on to learn about the impact of COVID on cybersecurity and how it might be placing your data at risk.

Increased Security Risks

With the breakout of COVID, employees began using personal devices to access the internet while working from home. Mobile phones also increased the adverse impact of COVID on cybersecurity.

Whether it’s their intention or not, using the internet allows your employees to visit malicious sites. Increasing risks also result from a lack of special cybersecurity training in most companies since there was little time to administer training on safe online interaction when employees began working remotely.

Besides, working from home means a lack of immediate access to the IT team. Thus, there’s minimal control over user actions and software updates.

Increased Number of Cybercriminals

Cybercriminals take advantage of people using personal or company devices for online entertainment. The criminals use fake sites to entice your workers into clicking links. These links download and install malware into computers and mobile devices.

Further, cybercrime has increased during the pandemic because companies don’t have online usage training. Cybercriminals use such disadvantages to manipulate some of your remote employees. For example, there were more than 791,790 internet crime complaints in 2020.

Use of Unsecured Channels

Working from within company premises allows the IT team to offer secure internet channels that protect employees from losing data online. But it’s tricky to extend the same protection to your staff when operating from home.

Using unprotected individual networks and routers exposes your employees to cybercrime and increases the chances of data losses.

Using the public internet also leads to the negative impact of COVID on cybersecurity. Working from home allows you to use any available internet sources to access the internet.

Accessing your company’s website using public internet sources leads to security risks including exposing company information to hackers.

A Rise in False COVID Payments

The outbreak of COVID increased online criminal activities targeting frequent internet users. Scammers may send you malicious emails about the previous year’s welfare benefits. Such emails are tempting as they seem to originate from the government or other monetary bodies.

These schemes may need you to provide contact details or even bank account information to sign up for grants. Providing such crucial information risks your physical and online presence.

Change in Online Security Structure

COVID’s outbreak will strengthen the companies’ responses to online attacks. Installing upgraded firewalls and structures will protect your data when working online.

Besides, training your employees about safe online interaction will improve your data safety measures. Thus, prepare early to limit future cybercrime cases if another crisis occurs.

Learn From the Impact of COVID on Cybersecurity

Changing how you interact online is crucial to protecting your information. Since your company may install a hybrid working system, safe online usage is critical.

Avoid clicking any malicious links and protect yourself from cybercriminals. At Thinline Technologies, we provide you with solutions to your IT problems. Call us via 410-453-9300 or fill out our contact form to receive professional help on your online issues.