cybersecurity - Linkenheimer LLP CPAs & Advisors

Cybersecurity Alert: Don’t Let Tax Season Scammers Get the Last Laugh

As the April 15th tax deadline approaches, cybercriminals are having their own version of “busy season.” Unfortunately, they don’t file returns—they steal them. We’re seeing a rise in scams targeting both individuals and businesses during this tax season.

Here’s what you need to know to keep your data safe, your stress levels manageable, and your sense of humor intact.

Why Tax Season Is Cybercrime Season
The chaos of tax time creates a prime opportunity for scammers:

More financial activity online = more targets
People rushing to file = more hasty clicks
Sensitive data flying everywhere = hacker heaven
Everyone’s talking to the IRS = easier to impersonate them

Basically, it’s like a buffet for cybercriminals—and they didn’t even bring a casserole.

Scams to Watch Out For (and Maybe Laugh At, Just a Little)
Phishing Emails with a Tax Twist
These emails […]

By Linkenheimer LLP|2025-04-01T19:28:18+00:00April 1st, 2025|cybersecurity, Tech|0 Comments

National Cybersecurity Awareness Month Reminder: IRS and Security Summit Online Safety Tips

As National Cybersecurity Awareness Month ends and preparation for next tax season begins, the Internal Revenue Service and its Security Summit partners today reminded taxpayers to be wary of online threats like identity theft and fraud.

Whether shopping online or browsing social media, people unfamiliar with online security could be putting themselves at risk. Lax online behavior can open the door to swindlers eager to swipe people’s personal information and leave themselves vulnerable to tax-related identity theft.

The IRS and Security Summit alert taxpayers to remain vigilant and to teach children and teens how to recognize and avoid online scams to minimize their chances of falling prey or unwittingly exposing their families to identity theft and tax fraud.

The public-private sector partnership encourages everyone to be aware of the many security vulnerabilities they face online and to review a wide range of resources available to them as October’s National Cybersecurity Awareness Month has drawn to a close.

Members of the Security Summit – a coalition that includes tax software and financial companies, tax professionals, state tax administrators and the IRS – also offer multiple online safety recommendations to protect taxpayers from […]

By Linkenheimer LLP|2024-11-05T17:14:34+00:00November 5th, 2024|cybersecurity, Tech|0 Comments

National Cybersecurity Awareness Month Reminder: IRS and Security Summit Online Safety Tips

As National Cybersecurity Awareness Month ends and preparation for next tax season begins, the Internal Revenue Service and its Security Summit partners today reminded taxpayers to be wary of online threats like identity theft and fraud.

Whether shopping online or browsing social media, people unfamiliar with online security could be putting themselves at risk. Lax online behavior can open the door to swindlers eager to swipe people’s personal information and leave themselves vulnerable to tax-related identity theft.

The IRS and Security Summit alert taxpayers to remain vigilant and to teach children and teens how to recognize and avoid online scams to minimize their chances of falling prey or unwittingly exposing their families to identity theft and tax fraud.

The public-private sector partnership encourages everyone to be aware of the many security vulnerabilities they face online and to review a wide range of resources available to them as October’s National Cybersecurity Awareness Month has drawn to a close.

Members of the Security Summit – a coalition that includes tax software and financial companies, tax professionals, state tax administrators and the IRS – also offer multiple online safety recommendations to protect taxpayers from […]

By Linkenheimer LLP|2024-11-05T17:04:11+00:00October 4th, 2024|cybersecurity, Tech|0 Comments

The Rising Threat of QR Code Phishing: What You Need to Know

As technology advances, so do the tactics of cybercriminals. One of the latest methods they employ is QR code phishing, often referred to as “quishing.” This article explores the dangers of quishing, backed by current statistics and real-life examples that may be pertinent to both our clients and staff.

The Surge in Quishing Attacks

Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the use of QR codes has surged due to their convenience for contactless transactions and information sharing. However, this rise in popularity has also made them an attractive target for cybercriminals. According to the 2024 Phishing Threat Trends Report by Egress, QR code phishing attacks have increased dramatically. In 2021, QR codes were used in only 0.8% of phishing attacks. This figure jumped to 12.4% in 2023 and has stabilized at 10.8% in early 2024 (Egress Email Security).

How Quishing Works

Quishing typically involves embedding malicious QR codes in emails, social media posts, or […]

By Linkenheimer LLP|2024-07-16T21:00:17+00:00July 16th, 2024|Tech|0 Comments

Reinforce Your Cybersecurity Defenses Regularly

If you’ve been in business for any amount of time, you probably don’t need anyone to tell you about the importance of cybersecurity. However, unlike the lock to a physical door, which generally lasts a good long time, measures you take to protect your company from hackers and malware need to be updated and reinforced much more regularly.

Two common categories

Most of today’s business cyberattacks fall into two main categories: ransomware and social engineering.

In a ransomware attack, hackers infiltrate a company’s computer network, encrypt or freeze critical data, and hold that data hostage until their ransom demands are met. It’s become a highly common form of cybercrime. Just one example, which occurred in October 2022, involved a major health care system that had recently executed a major M&A deal.

On the other hand, social engineering attacks use manipulation and pressure to trick employees into granting cybercriminals access to internal systems or bank accounts. The two most […]

By Linkenheimer LLP|2022-11-07T21:08:02+00:00November 7th, 2022|IT|0 Comments