Vacation Travel Scams Increase by 900%: What You Need to Know

Source: Vector choice - URS Preferred Partner

Summer is a peak time for vacation travel, and if you're planning a last-minute getaway, there's a new scam you should be aware of. With rising costs for everything from food to travel, it's tempting to scour the internet for the best deals to plan a memorable trip without overspending. Unfortunately, cybercriminals are taking advantage of this trend, using sophisticated AI-generated phishing emails that can drain more than just your vacation fund. According to Booking.com’s Chief Information Security Officer, Marnie Wilking, there’s been a staggering 500% to 900% increase in travel-related scams over the past 18 months due to this malicious tactic.

How Are Scammers Pulling This Off?

Phishing emails have been around for as long as the internet, but AI tools like ChatGPT are making them more convincing than ever. In the past, phishing attempts were often easy to spot due to obvious spelling and grammatical errors. Now, with AI, scammers can produce polished, professional-looking emails that are far more likely to deceive even the cautious reader.

Here's their method: Scammers exploit popular platforms like Booking.com or Airbnb, which allow users to list properties as short-term rentals. They send out emails offering amazing deals or urgent discounts on fake listings. Once someone pays, the scammers either vanish with the money, leaving the victim without a place to stay, or they continue to extract additional "fees" through follow-up emails before disappearing.

It's important to note that vacation-related phishing scams aren't new, but the rise of AI has made them more convincing, leading to more victims.

How Can You Protect Yourself?

Here are some crucial steps to avoid falling victim to these scams:

• Enable Two-Factor Authentication: Whenever possible, use two-factor or multi-factor authentication. This adds an extra layer of security by requiring a confirmation code sent to your phone each time you log in, helping to prevent phishing attacks and credential theft.

• Avoid Clicking on Email Links: If you receive an email offering a deal that seems too good to be true, it probably is. Instead of clicking on the link, visit the website directly and search for the offer. If you can’t find it, you might have just dodged a scam.

• Verify Before Booking: Before booking any property online, ensure that contact information and reviews are easily accessible. Look for verified reviews from other users who have stayed at the property; this reduces the likelihood of falling for a scam.

• Use Credit Cards for Online Purchases: Credit cards offer an extra layer of protection compared to debit cards, which are linked directly to your bank account. If your debit card is compromised, recovering stolen funds can be difficult, if not impossible. Credit cards provide greater security against fraudulent charges.

Stay Vigilant

The key to protecting yourself is vigilance. Scrutinize every email offer you receive and adhere to cybersecurity best practices. While standard security software can catch some scam emails, it won't catch them all, so it's crucial to remain cautious and alert to potential red flags.

A personal scam might ruin your vacation, but a breach of your business could have far-reaching consequences for you and your family. Stay informed and protect yourself from these evolving threats.

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Unraveling the Causes Behind 60% of Data Backup Failures During Critical Business Needs

Source: Vector Choice - URS Preferred Partner

The Need for Robust Data Backup: Insights and Best Practices

In today's digital landscape, businesses face various threats to their data integrity, ranging from natural disasters to cyber-attacks and human error. As highlighted by Avast's recent findings on disaster recovery, small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) are particularly vulnerable, with 60% of data backups failing to fully succeed. Even more concerning is the fact that half of the attempts to recover data from these backups are unsuccessful, resulting in an average downtime of 79 minutes, costing roughly $84,650 for every hour of disruption.

Understanding the Common Causes of Backup Failures:

1. Reliability of Backup Products: The adage "you get what you pay for" holds true in the realm of backups. Free or inexpensive solutions may lack the robust features needed for secure and reliable data backup.

2. Suboptimal Backup Timing: Poorly scheduled backups, especially during peak traffic periods or when data is being heavily modified, pose a risk of incomplete data capture.

3. Compatibility Issues: As businesses evolve, so do their systems and software. However, new systems may not always be fully compatible with existing backup solutions, leading to data saving and restoration challenges.

4. Human Error: Incorrectly configured backup parameters, accidental file deletions, and oversight of backup schedules and alerts can contribute to backup failures.

The Importance of Effective Data Backup and Restoration:

In light of these challenges, implementing best practices for data backup and restoration is crucial for ensuring business continuity and mitigating risks:

1. Choose a Reliable Backup Solution: Avoid blindly opting for well-known backup software brands. Instead, conduct thorough research to identify a solution that aligns with your business needs. Consider factors such as data recovery speed, downtime implications, and compliance requirements, especially in regulated industries like healthcare.

2. Adhere to the 3-2-1 Backup Rule: Embrace the industry-standard 3-2-1 backup rule, which recommends maintaining three copies of data in two different formats, with one copy stored off-site. This approach minimizes the risk of data loss in case of a catastrophic event.

3. Monitor Backup Status Daily: Ensure that someone within your organization, whether yourself or a designated IT team member, checks the backup status daily. Promptly address any incomplete backups to avoid potential data loss.

4. Conduct Regular Restore Tests: Regularly conduct simulated data restoration exercises to verify the integrity and effectiveness of your backup system. This proactive approach ensures that your backups are functional and can be relied upon in times of crisis.

In conclusion, data backups are not a "set and forget" task but a critical aspect of business continuity planning. By implementing robust backup solutions and adhering to best practices, businesses can safeguard their data against unforeseen disruptions and minimize the impact of potential disasters.

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