As lockdown and shelter-in-place orders during the COVID-19 pandemic force organizations to adopt remote working, cybersecurity attacks increase with alarming frequency. Such attacks have forced companies to review their operations and online security.

Unfortunately, nonprofits have been particularly vulnerable to cybersecurity attacks during the COVID-19 pandemic due to the following reasons:

• A wealth of constituent and volunteer information for hackers to steal.

• Unsecured financial data.

• Poor security tools.

• Inadequate training for remote workers.

• Lack of resources such as company laptops.

One of the best ways to combat such threats is awareness. Here are some cybersecurity threats your nonprofit must guard against:

1. Software Vulnerabilities

Hackers love to use security holes in software in order to breach systems. That's why your nonprofit needs to update its operating systems to plug security holes regularly. Both Microsoft and Apple periodically release patches. To make the task less labour-intensive, consider automating updates.

It's also likely that your organization uses a nonprofit CRM to manage its operations effortlessly. Here, it's critical to use a nonprofit CRM that takes your security seriously. For example, the nonprofit CRM software by Sumac carries a PA-DSS certification - the ultimate level of software protection for the secure handling of payment data.

Sumac's cloud databases are also hosted on the incredibly secure infrastructure of Amazon Web Services (AWS). What's more, the nonprofit CRM can be customized to allow data access on a need-to-know basis to protect confidential information.

2. Ransomware Attacks

Hackers target hospitals, health care facilities, charities, and all types of nonprofit organizations during the COVID-19 pandemic with dangerous ransomware attacks. Of course, a ransomware attack is a malicious software that locks an organization's computers until a ransom is paid through a digital currency like bitcoin.

Other kinds of malicious software that your nonprofit must watch out for are spyware, keyloggers, and stalkerware. Hackers use these three types of malicious software to copy your organization's confidential information and transmit it to criminals.

To protect your nonprofit from such attacks, consider using corporate antivirus software that detects malware before it can do damage. Remember, the default security tools on Windows and Apple don't offer sufficient protection against sophisticated malware that targets nonprofits.

3. Trojan Horse Attacks

A Trojan horse attack is not a type of malicious software. Instead, it's a delivery system for malicious software. Your nonprofit must avoid using software from untrustworthy sources because it could be malware disguised as legitimate applications for your computers.

4. Spear Phishing Attacks

Like Trojan horse attacks, spear-phishing attacks are highly targeted fraudulent emails and text messages that try to trick nonprofits into downloading malicious software, clicking on malicious links, or visiting malicious websites.

The best way to combat spear-phishing attacks is training. You and your staff must recognize the red flags displayed by a fake email. Remember, hackers are smart. They will visit your website and social media pages to craft a legitimate-looking malicious email or text message. When in doubt, pick up the phone and call the source directly to avoid scams.

Although nonprofits face numerous cybersecurity threats, with the right CRM software, cybersecurity tools, and awareness, your organization can keep its sensitive data secure from hackers.