Security

Phishing

Phishing is a scam by means of which you are sent communications containing a link. After clicking on it you are asked to enter personal data, codes or passwords. These communications usually ask those receiving them to provide data that only the user should know and that must, therefore, remain confidential.

In order to protect yourself from this cyber threat, take some simple precautions:

• Always check the sender of the communications and the language used. They are usually written in grammatically incorrect language, they are not personalised and generally describe unclear technical problems, often threatening to suspend the service;

• Never provide personal or confidential data on pages reached through links or attachments: access to the Customer Area is only through our official website, and does not involve requesting this data by email;

• Do not click on suspect links and do not download attachments;

• Inform our Customer Services 0287293700 or contact the Legal or Police Authorities if you should receive a suspect communication.

Malware

Malware are programmes created to damage users and their devices, generally present in objects like videos, attachments or photos. This software can give unauthorised access to the data present in the devices or in the information systems that can be stolen or damaged. Malware is transmitted from the internet, through email or by exchanging DVDs, memory cards or USB thumb drives. It is also transmitted through Websites that have been compromised or through videogame demos, instrument panels, music files, free subscriptions or any other file that is downloaded on devices without any antivirus protection.

The most common signs of the presence of malware are generally:

• Unusual sudden slowness of the device;

• The sudden and frequent appearance of popups, spam and anomalous shutdowns.

In order to protect from this cyber threat, some simple precautions should be taken:

• Install a good antivirus and keep it updated: antiviruses detect threats and identify the malware, preventing it from causing damage;

• Regularly scan devices;

• Do not open email attachments from unknown senders: viruses are usually transmitted through the attachments of emails received;

• Also pay attention to emails received from suppliers or customers whose devices could have been infected without them knowing;

• When browsing the Internet avoid dubious websites, illegal downloads, online games, etc.

The cyber-threat of the invoice

It is a kind of scam that occurs when a business is contacted by someone pretending to be a supplier of goods or services or to be a creditor. The contact can be by email, phone, fax or letter. The scammer asks to change the bank details for the payment of future invoices, like the beneficiary data or the IBAN. The new account suggested is actually controlled by the scammer.

A business can be protected from this kind of scam by following some simple precautions: 

• Suitably inform the employees on this kind of scam and how to avoid it;

• Define a standard process to verify the legitimacy of the payment requests;

• Train the personnel assigned to paying the invoices so that they always check any irregularities, particularly those concerning the modification of bank details for paying invoices;

• Do not provide detailed information on the company website related to contracts and suppliers;

• Define the lines that the employees have to follow to share information on social media related to the company and to the workplace;

• Always contact the Legal Authorities or the Police even if you are not taken in by the scam.