Let’s be Careful Out There
by Tony Rushin
The bad guys are computer hackers. Their strategies are well organized, targeted and focused. Some of their trickiest tactics are known as phishing. The incidents of phishing attacks are growing in quantity, sophistication and, unfortunately, effectiveness.
A June 27th Bloomberg article highlights several recent attacks, the sophistication of the hackers – spear-phishing and whale phishing are especially effective – and how the attackers rely on human weaknesses such as trust, laziness and hubris to dupe people and get access to highly confidential – and damaging – information.
Law firm partners, especially managing partners, should be especially vigilant since whale phishing – targeted attacks on senior-level executives whose computers may have access to more sensitive information – is on the rise. Beware: hackers already target law firms and they are now targeting smaller businesses.
Don’t think it can happen to you? Read on: these hackers tricked several senior executives and savvy business people.
Over the next several weeks I’ll discuss several tips that you – the user – can take to ward off these attacks. No silver bullets, just some good IT hygiene. As Sgt. Esterhaus used to say on Hill Street Blues, “Let’s be careful out there!”
This is the 2nd of 23 blogs I’m writing to celebrate the Atlanta Association of Legal Administrators’ 23rd annual Business Partner Expo. This year the Business Partner Expo will be held from 3:00 – 6:30 pm on August 17th at the Cobb Galleria. Over 150 legal administrators and their guests are expected to be on hand learning about the latest technologies, finding solutions to business issues, uncovering emerging trends and developing valuable partnerships to help their law firms. Already an AALA member? I’ll see you there! Not an AALA member? Give me a call at 
404.943.0800 x133 to discuss how you might be able to go as a guest!
