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Cyber fraudsters target solicitors working at home on sensitive client accounts

Law firms with staff working from home are being specifically targeted by cybercriminals who have spotted an opportunity in lower levels of remote work security.

The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) in the UK has warned of criminal online activity specifically aimed at solicitors, working from home but still handling sensitive client information and large sums of money.

The SRA said fraudsters had attempted to set up a monthly Stg£4,000 standing order from a firm’s client account.

Combat fraud training

SRA chief executive Paul Philip said: “Criminals are always looking to take advantage and they know that security arrangements are likely to have changed as people move to home-working.”

The body has advised that training should be beefed up on how to spot and combat fraud attempts.

Encrypted

At a minimum, laptops should be encrypted and systems installed to track and delete data from tablets and phones if they are lost or stolen.

Video meetings should be set to ‘private’, with password only access.