As a trusted source of information, it is our duty to inform you about the latest developments in the digital world. We have become aware of certain unethical practices employed by some lead generation portals.
One such practice is called "lead recycling." It involves selling the same data to multiple businesses, which creates competition and decreases the chances of successful leads. This can result in a waste of time and money for businesses that have paid for the data.
Furthermore, we have discovered that some lead generation portals go as far as putting negative reviews on the businesses that have purchased the data. They then offer professional reviews removal services to these businesses as an additional service.
To avoid falling victim to such scams, we recommend that you thoroughly research and vet the lead generation portals you intend to work with. Look for reviews and testimonials from other businesses that have used their services. Additionally, it's important to choose lead generation portals that have a solid track record and adhere to ethical practices.
In conclusion, we urge you to exercise caution and stay vigilant when it comes to lead generation portals. By following these guidelines, you can protect your business from the negative effects of lead generation scams.
5 Steps To Take After A Data Breach
There’s nothing more serious for a business than to deal with a data breach. The effects of an attack can last for months, if not years. You need to fix the issue and ensure that it doesn’t happen again in the future while providing reassurance to your clients. Getting it right can rescue your reputation, credit rating and safeguard your business. Here are the steps you need to take after a data breach.
Gather information
Find out if a breach has occurred. It is not uncommon for a scammer to claim that your accounts have been compromised, in an attempt to steal your personal information. Stay informed about the latest scams. Train your staff to recognise a scam to prevent a data breach. An effective firewall is just a start – you also need to ensure that your ‘human’ firewall know how to deal with email, telephone and online scams.
If a breach has happened, it is time to find out the cause and ascertain the seriousness of the breach. If you are unable to do this in-house, call in IT security specialists. They will:
Quickly determine what has been compromised. Identify the vulnerabilities that caused the data breach. Fix the issue so that it won’t happen again in the future. Identify the suspected cause of the incident. For example, was the breach caused by an open port in your firewall, malware, outdated software or antivirus software, or by human error?
Need one stop solution focused digital marketing agency for your business? ROZZARIO DIGITAL AGENCY is an international agency that offers expert IT security specialists ready to assist with your data breach situation. They will get to the root of the issue – quickly – and give you practical advice on how to protect your business in the future.
Tip: Don’t rely on guesswork! Get expert evaluation and rectification.
Containment
You need to stop the data leakage, remove the hacker, patch the system and keep evidence of a breach.
Determine how to stop the breach from spreading. Eliminate the threat. Take your computers and servers offline. Isolate the system. Tip: The quicker you detect and respond to the breach, the less likely it will spiral out of control.
Notify
Notify relevant third parties including your bank and financial institutions. This will lock your accounts and prevent further transactions. In many cases, it will release you from the liability for these changes.
It is vital that you understand your legal requirements and the situations that require mandatory data breach notification. This preparation should happen before a data breach – instead of waiting until you are in the midst of a crisis.
Gather a team to respond to the situation. Whether you handle the issue in-house or have an outsourced IT service provider, you need to notify the team of the breach. Together, you will put an action plan in place to resolve the issue.
The next step is to notify your employees and customers of the breach. In an attempt to protect your good name, you may be tempted to minimise the seriousness of the situation or withhold information.
The basic rules are:
Be open and honest. Admit if the issue was your fault and accept responsibility. Provide relevant details. Explain why the situation took place. Explain the steps that are being taken to resolve the issue. Invite dialogue. Discuss the issue with clients, analysts, media and the general public, according to the type of breach. Educate your customers as to how this situation will be prevented in the future. Change passwords
Once you know that your system is ‘locked down’ and safe, change all of your passwords. A hacker can leave a Trojan horse behind, which means that they can record your changed password. Don’t take any chances. Get expert IT support to ensure that your system is safe.