March 2017

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THE VALLEY BUSINESS JOURNAL 28 www.TheValleyBusinessJournal.com March 2017 Latest Email Phishing Scam CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Though these reports have become a frequent occurrence, if you simply remain diligent to a few rules your chances of causing a breach are significantly decreased. This particular scam takes the traditional email phishing scams to a new level in that it involves business executive impersonation and wire fraud in relation to your company’s distribution of W-2’s. Before you start thinking “I’m too small, this will never happen to me, etc.” let me tell you we have seen both of these individual types of scams multiple times within our client base. If you have data, you’re not too small and frankly, a breach will cost you more than your bigger competitors. Traditional Email Phishing – Though we have covered this a handful of times in different articles it’s important that we keep this information top of mind. These strikes normally arrive in your inbox with a malicious attachment or a prompt to a web link. The easiest way to distinguish if an attachment is safe or malicious is to look at the file extension – the three letters that follow the period at the end of the file name. According to Microsoft, .exe, .com, .pif, .bat and .scr are the most common file name extensions that may contain a dangerous file. Sometimes the extensions are not viewable by default. If that is the case on your computer, you can enable them by going to Control Panel > File and Folder Options > Hide Extensions for Known File Types (uncheck this item.) Also, be very wary of attachments with two extensions, such as pdf.exe. The only file extension that matters is the last one and it is extremely rare to have two file names, it is probably someone trying to trick you into thinking a file is safe. If you received an email with a hyperlink in the body, hover over it and look closely to the web address to see if it matches the rest of the email. These 2 checks alone can save you from a phishing attack. Executive Fraud – Some phishing emails are getting so advanced that they appear to be sent from an executive from your company or a partner/vendor company you do business with. We’ve seen 2 instances of this type of fraud in the last six months. Fortunately, the receiver of the email was tipped off that something didn’t seem right as the email body just didn’t “sound” like something the executive would write. A simple phone call confirmed the recipient’s hunch and a crisis was averted. Wire Fraud – Now this is a scary one. The “executive” in the fraud reference above asks for a wire transfer to be done. We have actually seen this occur but thankfully for our client the bank questioned it and they were able to recover their money. If your business frequently deals with wires you must have a multi-step procedure in place to stop any potential attacks. Once again, this new threat combines these methods to try and catch you off guard and is timed right at the start of tax season. The perpetrators are trying to fool your staff into releasing your information or sending money so that you don’t mess with the IRS. “This is one of the most dangerous email phishing scams we’ve seen in a long time,” IRS Commissioner John Koskinen said. “Although not tax related, the wire transfer scam is being coupled with the W-2 scam email, and some companies have lost both employees’ W-2s and thousands of dollars.” If you come across anything suspicious the IRS is requesting that you email phishing@irs.gov and place “W2 Scam” in the subject line and remember the tips above. Just a few extra minutes looking over an email before you respond, clink a link or open an attachment can save you exponentially. Mythos Technology is an IT consulting and management firm. For more information, please visit www.mythostech.com or call (951) 813-2672. connect: www.mythostech.com Veteran’s Service Awards CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 “This award is just a small token of our thanks and appreciation for what they have done, not only during their time in uniform, but after they returned home.” Veterans groups, such as American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars Posts, are encouraged to nominate a member of their organization for the award and individuals can also nominate worthy veterans. The deadline to submit applications is April 17, 2017. Award recipients must be residents of the 28th District, which is entirely in Riverside County and includes the cities of Blythe, Canyon Lake, Cathedral City, Coachella, Desert Hot Springs, Indian Wells, Indio, Lake Elsinore, La Quinta, Murrieta, Temecula, Palm Springs, Rancho Mirage and Wildomar. Applications and more information are available on the Senator’s website – www.Senate.Ca.Gov/Stone -- and by calling the Senator’s District Office in the Coachella Valley in Indio (760-398-6442) and Southwest Office in Murrieta. (951- 894-3530). Jeff Stone represents California’s 28th Senate District. The district, which is entirely in Riverside County, stretches from the vineyards of the Temecula Valley to the Colorado River and includes the cities of Blythe, Canyon Lake, Cathedral City, Coachella, Desert Hot Springs, Indian Wells, Indio, Lake Elsinore, La Quinta, Murrieta, Temecula, Palm Springs, Rancho Mirage and Wildomar. For more information visit: www.Senate.ca.gov/Stone or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SenatorJeffStone
March 2017 THE VALLEY BUSINESS JOURNAL www.TheValleyBusinessJournal.com 29 10 Ways to Increase Your Business CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Many of those in the business community still greatly benefit from face to face contact with their peers. The TVCC hosts a multitude of events throughout the year- both intimate and expansive- to bring business persons together for the opportunity to network. 2. REACH NEW CUSTOMERS - To business prospects and newcomers, the Temecula Chamber represents the community’s “front door.” The TVCC wishes to cater to all business types, including the growing number of companies whose target markets increasingly come from an internet presence. For these companies, the Temecula Chamber offers opportunities for online promotion to meet the unique and individual needs of each business. 3. CONTINUE LEARNING - The TVCC provides access to a complete list of members who embody the expertise needed to help manage issues that businesses face every day. Through workshops, speaking engagements, and personalized business counseling, Temecula Chamber members gather insight on common business and marketing problems and their solutions. 4. LET PEOPLE KNOW YOU’RE HERE - The rewards of belonging to the Temecula Chamber are full-time representation and yearround results. The TVCC offers the ability to sponsor events and be featured on various publications and collateral distributed by the organization. This gives members an opportunity to market themselves with less legwork and a broader reach than face to face networking strategies. 5. MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD - The TVCC’s ability to exert influence in national, state, and local legislation affecting businesses is evident now more than ever before. The Temecula Chamber connects local businesses with the regional Southwest California Legislative Council which focuses on job creation & business retention, budget and tax reform, public safety, healthcare, infrastructure & the environment. 6. CONNECTIONS ARE KEY - Being a member gives you direct access to business and community leaders who share your economic, civic and social concerns. The TVCC is proudly known for creating community alliances and being a liaison for businesses like yours. 7. KNOW WHAT’S GOING ON - Are you aware what is taking place around you in the Temecula Valley? We are dedicated to regional prosperity by informing our members of the latest business trends. 8. WORK TOGETHER - The TVCC enables its members to accomplish collectively what no one could do individually. Cluster groups have been created for numerous business segments, ranging from manufacturing companies to restaurants to attorney services to healthcare and more. Connect on a personalized, unique level with others in your industry. 9. THRIVE - Our activities, programs, and initiatives all serve one purpose – to make Temecula a better place to live, work, and play. 10. BE PART OF SOMETHING - Become part of this prosperous community by being a member of the Temecula Valley Chamber of Commerce who has been helping businesses succeed since 1966. This is “Where Business Meets Opportunity.” Choose today to grow your business along with the Temecula Valley Chamber of Commerce! Visit the Chamber’s website at www.Temecula.org, call 951.676.5090 or email kara@temecula.org for more information. Our team is here to help your business thrive! connect: www.Temecula.org “ This gives members an opportunity to market themselves with less legwork and a broader reach than face to face networking strategies.
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March 2017

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