Kosovo Banking Association inform businesses about cyber security

In the framework of the world cyber security month, the Kosovo Banking Association informs businesses and citizens of some of the recommendations for cyber security enhancement. It is evident that with the development of information technology and digital services, and protection from cyber-attacks become increasingly important. Cyberattacks are a global phenomenon that does not save Kosovo and in particular affect businesses and institutions. Fraud through computer systems can cause significant damage so the Kosovo Banking Association presents some recommendations to businesses in order to better protect themselves against cyber-attacks.

To enhance cyber security, we recommend that businesses and organizations take the following measures:

• To secure computer systems with antivirus - it is recommended that you keep your operating system up-to-date with the latest updates, and absolutely to have Antivirus installed and keep it updated regularly. Also, to keep updated other applications such as browsers (Explorer, Firefox, Chrome);
• Do not open suspicious e-mails or  when  unknown  sender- even if you have actually received an email from a trusted source,  and  that email you have not been waiting for, it is recommended that you contact the sender first and ask if  he is real sender of that email; this is because it happens that the sender's email is compromised and the fraudsters / hackers use that email to cheat others;
• Do not click the link that comes in e-mail; write the web address of the institution - which you want to visit on web into your browser’s address bar by yourself.
• Don’t open the attachment(s) of the e-mail that sent by unknown senders or that contains any files in which you didn’t expect.
• Be suspect from person who asked sensitive information from you. Don’t send your personal information especially user name, password and credit card information via email, social media messages (Facebook or etc.). Legitimate businesses, especially Banks will not ask users to send their sensitive personal information through this means.
• Do not perform bank transactions on computers that you do not trust. Don’t use public Wi-Fi when performing financial. Use secured Wi-Fi or 3G networks for any secure transactions such as e-banking and online transactions with cards.
• Do not download apps from any media other than the application markets that your mobile device offers.
• Nowadays it is very important that the details of the Beneficiary Bank to be accepted in the safest way to execute payments in order to avoid the risk of falsified payments. In this context, businesses need to check and verify supplier payables and also need to receive the original invoice before the payment is executed. These are the main business responsibilities.
• Last but not least, in order to reach you, please make sure that your phone and e-mail information stored in Bank system is always up to date.

In conclusion, we encourage you if you eventually encounter something like that or you are aware that you are trying to carry out the offense, report the case to the Kosovo Police where you will be directed to the Cybercrime Unit.