Tag: online security

Cybersecurity Investment – online security

Cybersecurity: Investing in Business Stability in the Age of AI

Cybersecurity is no longer a technical afterthought. As artificial intelligence reshapes entire industries, securing digital infrastructure has become a crucial requirement for long-term business stability.

While AI delivers efficiency gains, it has also opened the door to more sophisticated cybercrime. Businesses are waking up to the reality that cybersecurity is not simply an expense. In fact, it’s being described by media reports as an essential investment in sustainability and competitiveness.

Is cybersecurity, alongside AI, just a trend, or the backbone of the future economy? For most enterprises, the answer is becoming very clear. 

Stability in an unstable world

We are barely in Q3 and already the global economy in 2025 has been marked by uncertainty, from trade disruptions to the accelerating rollout of AI across business operations. 

But as companies embrace AI-powered tools to boost productivity, cybercriminals are doing the same, and with alarming effectiveness.

  • Phishing scams, once characterised by clumsy grammar and obvious red flags, have evolved. 
  • AI-driven chatbots now draft convincing, personalised emails at scale, making it far easier to trick recipients, particularly when they are busy or distracted. 

Simply put, the days of easily spotted scam messages are over.

Meanwhile, ransomware attacks, data breaches and AI-powered hacking tools are on the rise. 

Combating these threats requires not only the right technology but also skilled professionals: and therein lies another challenge.

The skills gap and the case for smarter solutions

Cybersecurity has become one of the most in-demand fields globally, but the supply of qualified specialists has not kept pace. 

At the same time, many businesses cannot afford to wait years to build internal teams.

For organisations of all sizes, partnering with providers that offer integrated, scalable solutions is fast becoming a practical and necessary choice. This ensures that cybersecurity gaps can be filled rapidly before a major data breach or cyberattack takes place. 

Secure your data by partnering with a cutting-edge cloud storage provider 

Here are some compelling reasons to choose a comprehensive outsourced cybersecurity solution:

  1. Access to the latest threat detection and prevention tools
  2. Around-the-clock monitoring and rapid response
  3. Flexibility to scale protection as your business grows
  4. Cost-effective access to cutting edge systems through our partnership with Acronis 
  5. The peace of mind that comes with knowing that cybersecurity is an integral part of your business

If you’re keen to set your business up with an automated backup solution that offers top level encrypted storage, we’d love to hear from you. Browse our range of packages including our flagship, total data protection, today.

Total Data Protection Today

Alarming Surge of Phishing Scams – Online Security

Phishing Scams on the Increase – with Discovery Bank Raising the Alarm

Phishing scams are nothing new to South African internet users, with this common form of cybercrime first surfacing in the early 2000s. Recently, however, both the sophistication and volume of these attacks have surged, catching out even seasoned tech users.

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the evolution of phishing scams in our local context, unpack what characterises the latest wave of scam emails, and share a few practical tips for keeping your network secure.

A new generation of phishing scams 

Phishing attacks are evolving from simple deceptive emails to sophisticated, remote-access scams, using platforms like social media ads to trick users into granting fraudsters control of their banking apps.

Every successful act of fraud requires a clever deception, and cybercriminals always seem to have new strategies at hand to fool unsuspecting internet users. Here are some of the latest phishing scams doing the rounds.

Fake travel deals

Discovery Bank warned customers about fraudulent airline ads on social media that promise enticing flight deals. When a user clicks on the link in the ad they’re directed to fake “travel agent” sites prompting them to install a bogus airline app. Once installed, this software grants scammers remote access to the device to intercept banking session activity. 

Remote-access vishing 

Vishing, a term that describes voice-delivered acts of fraud, is also on the rise. The latest variant involves remote-desktop scams, where fraudsters pose as bank fraud reps or travel agents, contacting unsuspecting targets online, setting up calls, and guiding their victims to install software that allows the hackers to control their PCs and approve transactions.

Bank fraud department impersonators

A number of banks have highlighted a sharp increase in vishing attackers sending their victims SMS messages about FICA issues. 

These communications are then followed up with calls, with criminals posing as bank staff and pressuring victims to approve app authorisations and load new beneficiaries on their accounts. 

This is a breeding ground for unauthorised transactions and can cost a fortune in damages before the bank shuts the scam down. 

What’s behind the current trend 

The current uptick in phishing and vishing scams points to 3 weak points in internet users’ vigilance – both on an individual and institutional level – that hackers are only too happy to exploit.

  • Exploitation of human trust. A study by SABRIC in 2024 emphasises that criminals are targeting emotional triggers like urgency and trust, not only tech vulnerabilities.
  • Unexpected vectors. The latest scams use social media, phone, SMS, and fake apps to deliver fraudulent messages, going beyond traditional phishing emails which automatically arouse suspicion.
  • Big Payoffs for Breaches. By gaining remote access, attackers can control devices live and bypass OTP safeguards before victims have a chance to suspend their banking and other services. 

Tips to stay safe online

With the wave of phishing attacks rising rapidly, businesses and their teams will need to be extra vigilant in the face of any unexpected communications. This advice also applies to individuals and families, and provides an opportunity for people of all ages to learn the skills that will help them stay safe online. 

Here are some tactics that will help keep phishing scams at bay. 

  • Book via official sites. Tread carefully when responding to social media promos and verify airline/travel sites directly.
  • Decline remote support. Never install screen-sharing or remote-control apps at someone else’s request.
  • Verify calls and SMSs. Banks won’t ever send you a FICA SMS and call you to approve payments. Always confirm bank communications via official channels .
  • Check URLs. You can use tools like SABRIC’s YIMA to validate website authenticity.

Taking precautionary measures against phishing attacks may help you to prevent a data loss incident, but it’s no guarantee. To be certain that your sensitive data is safe, you’ll need a cutting edge secure backup solution. 

Recover your data in 15 minutes or less 

When you find yourself in the crosshairs of a cyberattack or phishing attempt, mitigation and recovery become your top priorities.

Our Disaster Recovery service, which takes just three clicks to install, will help you restore your critical files and systems and be up and running within fifteen minutes. Click the button below to learn more.

Get Disaster Recovery