We at LARGE & GILBERT take our clients’ trust and confidential information seriously! If you receive a phone call after emailing a request for us to send information to someone, understand that we are verifying the request to ensure your computer/email has not been compromised.
Below is helpful information we recommend to help safeguard your business and/or personal computers:
Ransomware, Hacking, Phishing, Spam, Scams, etc. Computer technology, the Internet, and email are more dangerous than ever! Be EXTREMELY diligent regarding how you disseminate information. An email request for confidential information should be followed up with a phone call using a number you know to be valid (not a number included on the email) to confirm the request was valid. An email that looks ODD or doesn’t sound right, even if it appears to come from a valid source (Bank, Customer, Vendor, etc.) may actually be malicious…TRUST NO ONE! If in doubt, DO NOT OPEN ATTACHMENTS! And do NOT follow links if you don’t know where the link goes and are sure it is a valid link.
If you open an attachment or click to follow a link and it doesn’t show or do what you thought it would, you may have fallen victim. Immediately, unplug a network cable if you have a hard wired network connection or disconnect from wi-fi and shut off your computer. Time will be of the essence. The quicker you disconnect and turn off your computer, the better chance you have to limit the damage. Then, call your IT company to have them assess your computer. Just because you don’t see an immediate “your computer has been hacked” sign pop up on your computer, doesn’t mean you don’t have a problem. If you wait for a notification that you have a problem, it will probably be too late.
Finally, make sure your entire company is aware of the procedures you wish for them to follow in case of a suspected problem.
As for L&G, our clients trust us to take proper care of their data…to “hope” your computer did not get infected is a “risk” we are NOT willing to take! And neither should you.
If you have any questions, please contact:
Gary Fortier, CPA/CITP at 770-671-1533 or gfortier@largeandgilbert.com
