You’re the weakest link! – BeSecureOnline.co.uk

<figure><img alt="employees human error cyber breach, weakest link, anne robinson" class="img-responsive" src="/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/weakestlink.jpg?ver=nFezX8j43TMj1nVN2bH9HQ%3d%3d" title="employees human error cyber breach, weakest link, anne robinson" />
<figcaption>Nasty presenter Anne Robinson loved ferreting the weakest link.</figcaption>
</figure>

<h4><strong>Human Error is the leading cause of cybercrime breaches, hacking etc. </strong></h4>

<p><br />
While technology has advanced rapidly, we humans have not kept up and never will. We remain the weakest link. As a result, cybersecurity breaches are commonplace and their serious consequences such as this week's breaches in the PSNI (Police Service of Northern Ireland) and UK Electoral Commission.</p>

<ul>
<li>Data theft</li>
<li>Financial loss</li>
<li>Reputational damage.</li>
</ul>

<p>Humans really are the weakest link. For example, I used to be insecure until I saw my password. Or "Honey, I shrunk the business because I emailed our customer list to our competitors". </p>

<ul>
<li>CR7 is an ageing footballer, not a password</li>
<li>No more cats' names</li>
<li>Birthdays are great but are not passwords</li>
<li>Iloveyou, maybe so, but not a password<br />
 </li>
</ul>

<p>Use strong, unique passwords that are difficult to guess. Get a proper password manager. <a href="https://besecureonline.co.uk/Products/Business/Keeper-Password-Control/Keeper-Security-Trial"><strong><span style="color:#3333ff;">Try Keeper Password</span></strong></a></p>

<h4><strong>Humans fall for Phishing.</strong></h4>

<p>Another common human error is falling for phishing scams. Hackers use phishing scams to trick people into giving away their sensitive information. </p>

<p>Phishing scams can come in the many forms </p>

<ul>
<li>E-mails – Phishing  </li>
<li>Text messages – Smishing as in (SMS) </li>
<li>Phone calls Vishing. (Voice)</li>
</ul>

<p>Scammers pose as trustworthy individuals or organisations to gain your trust. Then use the details to access their accounts.<strong><a href="https://besecureonline.co.uk/Products/Business/InboxGuard"><span style="color:#3333ff;"> Inboxguard Link.</span></a></strong></p>

<figure><img alt="inboxguard says its safe to open email" class="img-responsive" src="/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/InboxGuard_Green_800_400.png?ver=vkz4LgxIxGYYkf7UnPn–g%3d%3d" style="margin: auto; width: 800px; height: 400px;" title="inboxguard says its safe to open email" />
<figcaption>Making it absolutely clear for employees – Is email safe to open? Lets double check first!</figcaption>
</figure>

<p>Cybersecurity education and training reduce the risk of human error. Education and training can teach individuals how to identify and avoid Phishing scams, </p>

<ul>
<li>Create strong passwords </li>
<li>Keep software and systems up-to-date.</li>
<li>C-Suite fraud</li>
</ul>

<p>It is important to have clear security protocols in place and enforce them consistently. Use strong passwords and keep software up-to-date to reduce cybersecurity breaches. <strong>Phishing loves Human Error</strong></p>

<p>Human error plays a significant role in phishing attacks. Phishing deceives people into clicking on harmful links or revealing confidential information. </p>

<p>Fake websites that look identical to legitimate ones or emails that look like they are from a trusted source, like Sony or Microsoft. These techniques only work if the victim falls for them and that's human error again. Employers need to train employees in this area.</p>

<h4><strong>Verify the Source</strong></h4>

<p>They commonly trick victims into clicking on a link or opening an attachment without verifying the source. They may disclose sensitive information such as login credentials or financial data.</p>

<h4><strong>Be Aware</strong></h4>

<ul>
<li>Get used to double checking</li>
<li>Know what criminals can get up to</li>
<li>Verify an email, text, ring, or message the sender for validation</li>
<li>Check out a strange, new website first</li>
</ul>

<p>Remember phishing is socially engineered fraud and preys on people's emotions and curiosity to deceive them into: </p>

<p>Clicking on harmful links <br />
Reveal confidential information.</p>

<p>Corporate cyber breaches are a growing concern for businesses of all sizes. These breaches result in the loss of sensitive information, financial losses, and damage to a company's reputation. Companies must take steps to secure their data and regularly train employees. According to insurance underwriters, small firms in Northern Europe typically file claims amounting to around €/£550k on average. The payouts are normally very modest indeed and can be nothing where the underwriter finds no reasonable cyber security steps were taken, in their opinion.</p>

<ul>
<li>No GDPR </li>
<li>No security nett, </li>
<li>No password system, </li>
<li>No cyber training <br />
 </li>
</ul>

<p>In conclusion, human error is the leading cause of cyber security issues.  </p>

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<strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Articles of interest</span></strong></h4>

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<ol class="list list-ordened list-ordened-style-3">
<li>Even IT pros don't know where to start. <a href="https://besecureonline.co.uk/Blog/entryid/379/many-it-pros-dont-know-where-to-start-when-dealing-with-security-awareness-program-for-an-organisations-it-defence"><strong><span style="color:#3333ff;">Start here</span><font color="#3333ff">!</font></strong></a> </li>
<li>Learn more here about Inboxguard - <a href="https://besecureonline.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/InboxGuard%20-%20BeSecure%20Online.pdf?ver=0zpkvC5OGH7qwoaI0DABbQ%3d%3d&timestamp=1678709803429"><strong><span style="color:#3333ff;">Data Sheet</span></strong></a></li>
<li>Employees don't really care!  <strong><a href="https://www.besecureonline.co.uk/Blog/entryid/382/awareness-training-addresses-the-elephant-in-the-room-human-error"><span style="color:#3333ff;">Staff! The Elephant in the room</span></a></strong></li>
<li>Phishing kills! <strong><a href="https://besecureonline.co.uk/Blog/entryid/39/protecting-yourself-from-phishing-scams-what-to-look-out-for"><span style="color:#3333ff;">How Phishing Works!</span></a></strong></li>
<li>German Insurer Allianz says  – <strong><a href="https://besecureonline.co.uk/Blog/entryid/81/allianz-the-german-insurer-says-cyber-threat-it-failure-is-a-bigger-threat-than-fire-theft-flood"><span style="color:#3333ff;">Businesses fear a catastrophic IT failure the most</span></a></strong></li>
<li>Basil loves cyber, Not! <a href="https://besecureonline.co.uk/Blog/entryid/386/basil-fawlty-precisely-the-sort-of-idiot-who-needs-awareness-training"><strong><span style="color:#3333ff;">Basil does Fawlty cyber</span></strong></a></li>
</ol>

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