Uncategorized – Soteria Cloud Backup News

Cybercriminal Threat to SA – Cybercrime

South Africans Suffering at the Fingertips of Cybercriminals

It’s barely three months old, and already this year appears to be another troubling one in terms of cybercrime for South Africans.

As SA retains its unwanted crown as the African continent’s biggest target for ransomware attacks, cybercriminals are becoming increasingly bold as they target major government organisations and corporations.

In this article, we lay out the facts surrounding the wave of online attacks facing the country and find out just what can be done to secure your personal and business data.

The worrying cybersecurity landscape in South Africa

Over the past decade, South Africa has gone from a relatively obscure target for cybercriminals to a region with one of the most active cybercrime activity levels.

With ransomware attacks, phishing attempts, and credential theft on the rise, no business can afford to think that it’s safe from the malicious intentions of cybercriminals.

Despite accounting for less than 5% of Africa’s population, SA represents 40% of all cyberattacks carried out on the continent.
Client financial data, intellectual property, crypto wallets, and other valuable data are densely concentrated in South Africa’s relatively affluent and more developed economy, making it the ideal target for cybercriminals focusing on victims south of the Sahara.

In spite of reports of cyberattacks frequently appearing in the media, South African businesses remain inadequately prepared in the face of cyberattacks. According to a 2024 security awareness report, organisations often rely on outdated antivirus software and rudimentary firewalls as their line of defence with inadequate online backup.

The extent of the country’s lack of readiness to deter cyberattacks has been on display again recently, with high-profile incidents affecting the South African Weather Service and National Laboratory Services over the past six months.

As government struggles to secure its own data from hackers, small to medium-sized businesses are scrambling to establish data security protocols under the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA).

The good news: Cyber defence doesn’t require a multimillion-Rand budget

A common myth circulating in the SMB sphere is that cybersecurity is simply too expensive and complex to be practical for small businesses, and that hackers probably won’t bother with a small enterprise anyway.

Neither of these statements is factually correct.

As business owners come to terms with the urgent need to beef up their online security, there are data security packages that can help substantially mitigate the risk of a damaging cyberattack and assist in data recovery if an attack does occur.

Small business owners who don’t have a technical background in IT are usually apprehensive about signing up for data defence packages that are overly complex and difficult to implement.
At the same time, the current economic climate means that managers and owners are keeping an eye on costs.

In this context, the ideal data security package is one that offers excellent protection, is easy to use for non-specialists, and can fit easily into a reasonable company budget.

Total Data Protection is a great fit for any company

In response to the needs of business owners, Soteria Cloud has developed a total data protection package that offers next-level security powered by Acronis. Our solutions are easy to use, customisable for a variety of applications, and provide comprehensive data protection at a single competitive price.

To learn more about our reliable data protection offerings, click the button below.

Get TDP

Cyberattack Response Plan – Cybersecurity

The First 24 Hours: Your 7 Step Cyberattack Response Plan

Logging onto your device only to find that you’ve become the latest victim of the current wave of cyberattacks sweeping the country is one of the scariest moments for any internet user.

When your data is on the line and time is of the essence, it may seem natural to panic, but that’s the last thing you should do. The first 24 hours following an attack is a crucial time window for limiting damage and restoring systems, and you’ll need a plan in place to respond effectively.

By following the series of steps outlined in this article, you’ll be able to assess the scale of the damage, take proactive steps to mitigate data loss, and hopefully emerge from the cyberattack with all (or at least some) of your data and your company’s reputation intact.

How to React When Hackers Strike

The first thing to do after a cyberattack is to remain calm. Notify management of what has happened and start taking steps to assess and mitigate the damage by following this structured step-by-step incident response plan; Identify, Isolate, Notify & Protect, Analyse, Report, Reset, Protect.

Here’s what you need to do:

1. Identify the Attack

A ransomware attack typically starts with a message from the hackers, stating that your data has been compromised and providing further instructions, such as the ransom amount and how to pay it.

Whatever you do, don’t even consider following these instructions until you’ve completed the next step.

2. Isolate the Affected Systems ASAP

Your priority following a cyberattack is to isolate the device or network that has been compromised. This means powering down and disconnecting the device from your network without delay.

These steps may help to slow the spread of malware or ransomware to other devices in your organisation.

3. Notify and Protect Your Network

Alert key personnel such as your IT manager or outsourced networking consultant immediately. Once they are available, convene a “war room” with the IT department, management, and possibly legal and PR advisors to mitigate the potential damage to your network and your company’s reputation.

4. Analyse the Damage

There are several types of damage a cyberattack can cause:

Financial damage from lost data and downtime
Damage to your computer network that may take time to restore
Reputational damage that your business may suffer if the cyberattack becomes public knowledge.

It’s important to realistically assess the worst-case and medium-case scenarios and start fixing the damage as soon as possible.

5. Report the Incident

Cyberattacks must be reported to the Cybersecurity Hub at the national CSIRT as soon as they occur. In cases where fraud is suspected or a large amount of customer data has been leaked, you may also need to report the incident to law enforcement authorities.

6. Reset, Patch, and Update

With the help of a trusted IT professional, reset your computer network, patch the vulnerabilities that allowed the attack to occur in the first place, and update your files with the most recent versions from your secure cloud backup.

This will help you get your business up and running again.

7. Post-attack security upgrade

Finally, be sure to remove any malware that hackers may have installed to gain access to your network and prevent similar attacks from taking place weeks or months down the line.

Implement a total data protection plan

To help ensure that your business is prepared for future cyberattacks, if you don’t already have reliable cloud backup and a secure data protection plan, this would be the time to upgrade your security.

Secure cloud storage, particularly comprehensive encrypted data storage solutions like our
Total Data Protection package, will help keep your sensitive files safe in the cloud.

Trust Soteria Cloud to safeguard your valuable data while focus on your core business. Get Total Data Protection today.

Find out more

Proactive Defence – Cybersecurity

Beyond Defence: Proactive Approaches to Cybersecurity in the Digital Age

As the Cybersecurity landscape evolves, a new generation of threats is emerging faster than ever.

Powered by AI and other advances in technology, the latest cybercrime risks are developing faster than any defensive strategy can keep up with. That’s why a proactive approach is so crucial when setting up a multi layered cyber defence system for your business.

By learning more about proactive defence you’ll be in a better position to keep your sensitive data safe at a time when thousands of cyberattacks take place worldwide every day. Let’s start by taking a look at the necessity for several layers of cyber defence.

The importance of proactive cybersecurity

Today’s cybersecurity landscape is characterised by rapidly evolving threats. Unlike the situation of ten or twenty years ago where a good antivirus programme and firewall were sufficient to keep most viruses at bay, the current and future scenario is complex and subject to rapid change.

The rise of AI, in tandem with the growing ranks of black hat tech specialists working in cahoots with cybercriminals, has created a wave of new online threats that threaten to overwhelm traditional defences. Of these, Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs) are of particular concern to business owners.

Imagine a hacker gaining access to your network and sitting idle for weeks or even months, spying on the internal workings of your business and reading through your confidential documents at their leisure until they spot the perfect target for a cyberattack.
This is exactly how APT attacks are carried out – and why they’re both hard to spot and frustrating to respond to. A proactive approach is the only way to spot these attacks in time and respond to them.

Threat intelligence and rapid response: the new cybersecurity gold standard

With cybercriminals harnessing the power of AI and machine learning to create new threats, the cyber defence industry needs to use them to counter the risks of major data losses. Detecting stealth attacks and limiting the damage they can do are now the primary objectives of any effective cybersecurity strategy.

AI-driven cybersecurity software, including the top-level detection tool we offer in partnership with Acronis, can help spot potential attacks in real time.
Effective encryption and user permissions, including file locking and need-to-know basis data sharing, can help limit the extent to which hackers can read and use compromised files.

A holistic approach to cyber defence

Smart secure cloud storage, which ensures timely online backups across various apps and can be customised by IT managers, is the only approach that stands a chance of keeping up with cybercriminals in 2025.

You’ll find these features and more in our Total Data Protection package. Click the button below to learn more.

Get TDP Today

Acronis Partnership Solutions – Cloud Backup

5 Ways Acronis Integration Supercharges Your Cloud Backup Experience

At Soteria, one thing that’s always on our minds is keeping your data safe in the cloud using the latest technology to ensure a seamless user experience.

Over the years, we’ve invested in loadshedding-proof data centres, scalable backup solutions culminating in total data protection, and immutable storage to ensure that your vital information remains encrypted and accessible only to you.

Through our partnership with Acronis, a leader in data backup and protection, our team is fully certified and benefits from continuous training in order to assist our clients to harness the power of one of the best cloud storage systems available internationally – with access to top-tier solutions.

Acronis remains at the forefront of innovation, investing in research and development to anticipate technological trends. Their cutting-edge solutions include blockchain-based data validation, AI-driven ransomware protection, and integrated disaster recovery which means that you have access to the best practices and insights in the industry.

Market leader

Acronis stands out in the data protection and backup industry thanks to its comprehensive solutions, from backups and disaster recovery to cybersecurity and secure file sharing.

With a strong global presence and trusted brand, it partners with major players like Microsoft and VMware for seamless integrations. Its focus on cybersecurity, including anti-ransomware features enhances its appeal, while user-friendly interfaces make it accessible to all skill levels.

The Gold Standard in data protection

With cyberattacks on the rise, your business can’t afford to have anything but the best data protection.

Some of the features we offer through our valued partnerships with Acronis include backup and recovery solutions that help to make sure your data is securely backed up and can be easily restored. This helps to reduce downtime and data loss to a minimum in the event of a cyberattack.

Smooth cloud integration

Off site storage is key when it comes to avoiding data corruption and physical theft of backup drives.

Cloud integration ensures that your valuable data is stored in an encrypted format and remains accessible 24/7 from anywhere on earth using trusted credentials.

Easy to use interface

You shouldn’t need to be an IT expert to back up and manage your data. We’ve partnered with Acronis to bring you one of the best designed UXs in the cloud storage industry.

This will help to avoid operational errors and make data backup accessible to all members of your team.

Advanced security even with cross-platform integration

Staying a step ahead of the hackers on various operating systems and devices means you need the most technically advanced cybersecurity available today with enhanced operational efficiency.

Our offering includes built-in security measures like ransomware protection and immutable encryption, which add an extra defensive shield of security to your sensitive data.

Secure your data with our cutting edge packages

If you’re ready to experience the effortless convenience of our highly secure cloud storage packages, visit our services page today. You’re sure to find a solution that suits the needs and scale of your business.

Find out more

Proactive Cybersecurity – One Step Ahead

Preparing for a Cyberattack: Why Proactive Backup Is Your Best Defense

Is there anything you can do to prepare for a cyberattack ahead of time and be ready to restore your valuable data? The answer is a resounding, proactive YES. Here’s what business owners need to know to stay ahead of the online crooks.

Cyberattacks: Not if but when – and what then?

Global cyberattacks continue to be one of the top worries of IT managers and company owners worldwide, with an estimated 5,200 victims of ransomware incidents estimated for this year. These destructive attacks are expected to more than double in 2024.

Image courtesy of QEB

Cybercriminals often see significant financial rewards from these illegal activities , which is why these figures remain alarmingly high. For business owners and managers this means being proactive about cybersecurity is crucial to safeguarding your business against the evolving threat landscape.

Proactive backup is one of the best practices we recommend to all our clients. “Proactive cybersecurity” means anticipating future problems or changes to take appropriate action, immediately. With careful planning “before or in the event of” a cyberattack, you can keep your company information secure and recover quickly in the event of a cyberattack.

Put simply – being proactive means being ahead of the game – being proactive to prevent an attack from taking place rather than reactive once your data is seriously compromised.

Proactive Backup: Staying ahead of the hackers

Simply signing up for a backup service is a good first step towards protecting your company’s data, but that alone is not enough to ensure your critical files are safe in the cloud and accessible when needed.

A proactive approach to backup means ensuring the following steps are taken:

Your files are backed up regularly

Scheduling automatic backups ensures that the latest version of your files is always saved in the cloud. This minimises the risk of data loss resulting from a breach or technical failure, preventing a situation where only outdated versions of files are available for restoration.

The right files are backed up

It’s essential to ensure that critical business documents—such as financial records, proprietary information, and especially client records protected under the Protection of Personal Information (POPI) Act — are included in your secure cloud folder.

Threats are detected early

Ongoing monitoring is vital. Ensuring any suspicious network activity is promptly reported to your IT manager helps detect cyberthreats at their earliest stages. This enables you to act quickly and take emergency measures to protect your systems.

Total Data Protection puts you in full control

Finding a single solution that blends secure cloud storage, automated backup, and monitoring used to be difficult – until now, that is.

With Soteria Cloud’s Total Data Protection plan you are in total control of your backups with a full range of customisable options. Click the button below to learn more.

Get TDP Today

Be Prepared – 2025 Cybersecurity Trends

Be Prepared – Cybersecurity Trends for 2025. What’s Hot and What’s Not

The new year is almost upon us, and by the time you read this article, it may already be here. As we anticipate the opportunities 2025 will bring, it is equally crucial for business owners to assess the cybersecurity challenges facing their businesses and the country as a whole.

From well-known threats like malware and ransomware, which are rapidly evolving, to newer concerns such as IoT hijacking and AI-driven cyberattacks, the wave of online criminality continues to escalate.

Here are some of the key cybersecurity trends and risks to be aware of in the coming year.

AI-driven cyberattacks present a new threat

The rise of generative AI applications, such as ChatGPT, is transforming the way businesses operate worldwide, and cybercriminals are taking notice.

One of the primary uses that online criminals have found for generative AI is the creation and refinement of phishing messages, making them appear exceptionally convincing.
As a result, traditional warning signs of phishing, such as poor grammar or spelling mistakes, are no longer reliable indicators.

To mitigate this risk, it is essential to verify any communication requesting payments or containing suspicious links with the sender before taking any action.

Hackers target IoT devices

The Internet of Things (IoT) is growing significantly, with an estimated 18.8 billion smart devices in use worldwide.

Unfortunately, cybersecurity for IoT devices is often overlooked, leaving them vulnerable to hacking.

A single unsecured IoT device can serve as an entry point for criminals, potentially compromising an organisation’s entire network.

As IoT adoption continues to grow, we anticipate a rise in IoT-related attacks in 2025. Businesses must prioritise securing these devices to prevent exploitation.

Combating cybersecurity threats with zero-trust architecture

As new threats loom on the horizon in 2025, business owners are taking action to secure their data.

In addition to traditional measures such as updated antivirus software and reliable firewalls, advanced strategies like cloud storage, multifactor authentication, and total data protection (TDP) have become essential.

At the forefront of these strategies is zero-trust architecture, which requires network users to verify their identity using secure login credentials before accessing sensitive files.
If your organisation’s security protocols allow users to upload, download, or modify files without thorough identity verification, the zero-trust approach mandates immediate changes to these settings.

This method ensures that only authorised users can access your company’s critical data.

Looking ahead to a safer 2025

Soteria Cloud wishes all its clients a prosperous 2025, in the knowledge that our team remains committed to making the new year even safer from a data security perspective. In today’s digital landscape, investing in cybersecurity in 2025 is critical both for the sustainability and growth of your business.

Powered by Acronis, our platform combines advanced security measures with seamless backup processes and our team of fully certified Acronis professionals is ready to guide you as you take action today to secure your data tomorrow.

To learn more about our products, including TDP, and how they can safeguard your files. Call us on +27 (0) 87 943 2288, email sales@soteriacloud.com or visit our product page today to review our options.

Get TDP Today

Smarter Cybercriminals – Better Backup

The Ransomware Wave Intensifies as Cybercriminals Get Smarter

Ransomware is one of the most pressing online threats facing businesses today, and the not-so-good news is that it’s becoming more sophisticated.

Cybercriminals are discovering new ways to use AI to perpetrate online attacks, with several prominent businesses—including Starbucks—recently falling victim. To make matters worse, hackers are recruiting software developers on the dark web to raise the sophistication of their attacks to a level where many cybersecurity systems may be unable to stop them.

As the threat landscape becomes more advanced, business owners must take steps to protect their valuable data. Let’s look at the evolving threats and see what you can do to safeguard your company’s information.

Businesses of all sizes fall prey to ransoware attacks

The days when only large corporations were targeted by cybercriminals using ransomware are truly over.

Despite ongoing attacks against providers like Blue Yonder—which recently forced Starbucks shops across America to switch to a manual entry system to pay their baristas—cybercriminals are increasingly setting their sights on small and medium-sized businesses. These businesses have the funds to pay significant ransoms but often don’t have cutting-edge cybersecurity systems in place.

A striking example of such an attack is the recent ransomware disaster experienced by British logistics company Knights.

Russian hackers demanded millions of pounds to release encrypted files, including the company’s financial records.
Ultimately, rather than pay the ransom, the company’s management was forced to borrow large sums of money and eventually, to seek a buyer for the business as operations came to a complete halt.

The ease with which cyberattacks of this kind are being carried out raises the question: how sophisticated have hackers become that they’re able to bypass industry-standard cybersecurity systems?

Worryingly, the answer is very sophisticated indeed.

Cybercriminals harness AI and software professionals to carry out attacks

Artificial intelligence is revolutionising the way many industries do business, and unfortunately, cybercriminals are all too aware of its potential to assist in carrying out ransomware attacks.

Generative AI, such as ChatGPT, can be used to clean up phishing emails and make them sound entirely legitimate.
Cybercriminals even programme AI applications to imitate the tone used by companies in their PR materials, making impersonation scams more believable.

While some cybercriminals are turning to AI, a worrying trend on the dark web has emerged, where Russian hackers have started recruiting software developers to find security loopholes in their own ransomware and other harmful apps.

This helps them evade detection and mitigation efforts by cybersecurity experts.

These incidents show that cybercriminals are not only extremely serious about continuing their attacks but are also targeting smaller and less well-known businesses with sophisticated ransomware that may be difficult to evade.

This makes it absolutely imperative for companies to invest in secure cloud storage so that a working version of critical company data is always available in the cloud.

Secure your business with total data protection

Total Data Protection is the only real assurance businesses have when it comes to safeguarding their valuable information.

With comprehensive secure cloud storage, featuring immutable storage, regular automated backups, and access to the past five years’ worth of saved data, our flagship package is a powerful, turnkey solution ideal for any business.

To find out how this solution could benefit your company, click the button below.

Get TDP today

Soteria Cloud Total Data Protection – Website Relaunch

Soteria Launches Total Data Protection With all New Website

Total data protection is becoming essential at a time when cyber-attacks are increasing exponentially, covering every aspect of data protection, from backups to privacy protocols.

With 2 200 cyberattacks reported per day worldwide in 2023 and more than 150 data breach notifications received per month in 2024, according to Information Regulator chairperson advocate Pansy Tlakula, internet users are realising that data security is no longer a distant risk, but rather something that every business and individual needs to consider.

To ensure total peace of mind, total data protection (TDP) is a great option for any business that takes its cybersecurity seriously.

Let’s take a look at this innovative system to find out how it can benefit your business.

Why is TDP necessary?

South Africa is grappling with a major cybersecurity crisis, as well-known companies and government departments fall prey to the tactics of online criminals on an almost daily basis.

Recent cyber-attacks affecting major banks, the Department of SA Social Security Agency, and the massive TransUnion hack in 2022 which exposed millions of credit records, are just some of the events that have seen cybercriminals outsmart cybersecurity experts at some of the country’s largest organisations.

The main takeaway from these events is that attacks will happen, and companies need to prepare for this eventuality.

One of the best ways to recover from a cyber-attack is to have a full backup of every piece of data that could be of interest to cybercriminals, so they can’t hold it over your company’s head, demanding ransom.

Total data protection helps to both prevent these attacks and recover from them. It offers a holistic approach to cybersecurity, covering the following aspects:

Fixed cost per device (no additional storage or licence fees)

To help businesses keep their costs under control while ensuring the best possible data protection, a single cost per device is typically charged for TDP. This avoids additional fees for high amounts of storage used and eliminates licensing fees for proprietary software.

Uncapped backup storage

The amount of data that can accumulate in the cloud account of a large corporation can be astounding. With uncapped backup, your business can afford to keep all its important data safely and securely encrypted in the cloud without having to worry about increasing overheads.

Entire machine application-aware backup

This type of backup ensures that every bit of data produced by the device is securely stored, with specific storage being available for designated applications. System administrators define which applications’ data will be backed up and when.

5-year data retention (7 days, 4 weeks, 60 months)

Companies that back up their data for short periods of time, like a year or less, find themselves in a dire situation if a cyber-attack compromises data that was created before the last available backup.

Total data protection features comprehensive backup for the past five years, allowing every file produced during that time to be accessed securely in the event of a cyber-attack or data loss.

Advanced Security and Advanced Management Add-On Packs

These advanced software packages allow system administrators to implement additional layers of security as needed and manage the data that is securely backed up remotely. This enables companies to fine-tune their backup strategy and ensure that files are available in the cloud, no matter what eventuality may arise.

Ready to implement a total data protection plan?

Soteria Cloud is proud to introduce Total Data Protection as our new flagship product. If you’re ready to take the next step and protect your business from the increasing risk of cybercrime, visit our TDP product page today to learn more.

Get TDP Today

Stay Safe, Avoid Scams – Black Friday

Black Friday 2024 – How to Avoid Scams & Stay Safe online

The end of November has become synonymous with Black Friday, the day when Christmas comes early, and consumers can look forward to huge savings on their favourite products.

Unfortunately, the last Friday of the month is also a day when cybercriminals like to celebrate the takings from their latest financial scams. Against the backdrop of increasing fraud cases across the country, this Black Friday is a day not only to enjoy some serious savings but also to take online safety seriously.

Here are some of the common scams that cybercriminals may try to execute on the day and the weeks leading up to it, and how you can avoid them.

If it’s too cheap to be true, it probably is

Black Friday is all about saving money, and the psychology of getting a good deal is so appealing to many consumers that cybercriminals are able to exploit it to make their scams believable.

Usually, receiving an email or social media message about a product that’s 50% or more off its normal price would raise some eyebrows. But with the generous discounts offered around Black Friday, consumers often let their guard down and fall for non-delivery scams on items that are so cheap, it’s almost unbelievable.

This type of scam generally works by offering the customer an expensive product at 20% to 30% of its price.
Following payment, the seller will typically disappear and never make delivery. Alternatively, they may deliver inferior or fake goods, an empty box, or some other type of fraudulent package.

It’s easy to avoid this scam by only dealing with reputable retailers, but even this is becoming more challenging in a time when fake websites are proliferating.

Double-check retail websites to avoid losing money

Impersonation scams have reached a whole new level with entire brands and websites being duplicated by cybercriminals.

In our article on domain name scams, we touched on the importance of verifying that the website you’re dealing with is the real deal. This is especially important for customers dealing with retailers in the weeks leading up to Black Friday.

Before you place an online order, it’s essential to ensure that the website you’re dealing with is genuine.
Googling the site and comparing the URL that comes up first in the search results with the one you’re currently browsing is one way of doing this.
If your favourite retailer offers a shopping app, it’s always safer to transact using that, rather than risk visiting a fake URL.

Beware of fake vouchers and discount codes

Another tactic cybercriminals are employing to fool unsuspecting consumers is offering Black Friday vouchers for sale which turn out to be fraudulent and unusable.

Generally speaking, retailers will never offer to sell you vouchers other than official retail gift cards.
The moment you receive an offer to pay R100 for R200 off, or a similar deal, your suspicions should be heightened.

When in doubt, the best rule of thumb is to purchase directly from your favourite retailer’s website, use the app, or even do it the old-fashioned way by going there in person on the day.

Keep your personal data safe with us on Black Friday and beyond

With fraud cases rising by 45% in South Africa, 2024 is the year to prioritise online safety.

Our comprehensive range of secure cloud storage solutions for businesses and households will help ensure that your data is kept securely in the cloud in encrypted form.

Domain Name Scams – Cybercrime

How to Avoid Domain Name Scams

Millions of consumers visit their favourite retail websites or online banking portals regularly to enjoy the convenience of instant shopping or financial transactions.

Unfortunately, the very sites that we visit and trust with our private information, including banking details, could very easily be fake.

Domain name scams are becoming increasingly popular around the world as cybercriminals take impersonation to the next level, building virtual replicas of well-known websites.

As this phenomenon spreads in South Africa, local internet users will need to be extra vigilant when shopping and banking online.

How cybercriminals impersonate entire websites

The modus operandi that cybercriminals tend to follow when carrying out these scams is both simple and deceptive.

First, fraudsters register a domain that closely resembles the real domain, making it sound plausible. Some hypothetical examples of these sites could be absabankingsite.co.za or amazononlineshop.co.za.

For someone who isn’t familiar with the company’s real URL, these websites seem legitimate enough because they have been designed to look identical to the real thing.

Once unsuspecting customers land on these websites—which can be promoted through fraudulent social media, email or WhatsApp spam—they are typically prompted to log in using the actual credentials they use for online banking or shopping.
Once this is done, the cybercriminals have access to their login details, which can then be used to gain access to their accounts and carry out various fraudulent acts.

Domain name scams can be very convincing, but there are ways to avoid them when banking and shopping online.

How to stay safe in the age of fake websites

As an internet user, you have reason to be concerned about these advanced impersonation scams, which now include entire website replicas.

The only way to be certain that the website you’re using is authentic is to confirm that it is, in fact, the official website of the company you’re dealing with. This can be verified with a Google search.
It’s also important to note that most companies will never ask you to supply your login credentials by email or any other form of communication. Any correspondence you receive asking for this is likely to be suspicious.

When logging into internet banking or retail shopping websites, we recommend that internet users always opt for multi-factor authentication.

For banking, downloading your bank’s official online banking app is much safer than relying on the website, which may or may not be genuine.

Protect your vital data with secure cloud storage

With online activity at an all-time high, businesses and households alike can never be too careful when it comes to protecting private data.

Soteria’s range of secure cloud storage packages for households and businesses is the ideal way to keep your sensitive files safe in the cloud and out of the wrong hands. Visit our product page today to learn more.