October 14, 2024
Phishing attacks remain the most prevalent form of cybercrime for a simple reason: they are effective. Each day, over 3.4 billion spam emails find their way into the inboxes of unsuspecting users. Phishing emails have dominated as the most common type of attack for years because they are easy to execute, scalable, and continue to deceive individuals. With AI tools like ChatGPT, cybercriminals can now craft emails that closely mimic human communication, making them even more convincing. If you're not vigilant, the consequences of falling for phishing scams can be severe.
In recognition of Cybersecurity Awareness Month, and with phishing emails being a leading cause of cyberattacks, we have developed this straightforward guide to help you and your team effectively identify phishing emails and understand the importance of doing so.
What are the risks? Here are four major threats posed by phishing attacks:
1. Data Breaches
Phishing attacks can lead to the exposure of your organization's confidential information to cybercriminals. Once compromised, your data might be sold on the dark web or held for ransom, with demands for exorbitant amounts of money for its return—though there's no guarantee it will be returned. This can result in financial and legal consequences, harm to your reputation, and loss of customer trust.
2. Financial Loss
Cybercriminals frequently use phishing emails to directly steal money from businesses. This can occur through fraudulent invoices or unauthorized transactions, directly affecting your financial standing.
3. Malware Infections
Phishing emails may contain harmful attachments or links that, when clicked, can infect your systems with malware. This can disrupt operations, cause data loss, and necessitate costly recovery efforts.
4. Compromised Accounts
When employees fall for phishing scams, their accounts can be compromised. Attackers can exploit these accounts to initiate further attacks or gain unauthorized access to sensitive company information.
The list of potential dangers continues, but there are steps you can take to avoid becoming the next victim of a phishing attack.
Here is the S.E.C.U.R.E. Method that you and your employees can use to help identify phishing emails:
- S - Start With The Subject Line: Is it unusual? (e.g., "FWD: FWD: FWD: review immediately")
- E - Examine The Email Address: Do you recognize the sender? Is the email address strange (e.g., misspelled) or unfamiliar (not the usual one they send from)?
- C - Consider The Greeting: Is the salutation odd or generic? (e.g., "Hello Ma'am!")
- U - Unpack The Message: Is there an urgent push to click a link, download an attachment, or act on an offer that seems too good to be true?
- R - Review For Errors: Are there grammatical mistakes or unusual misspellings?
- E - Evaluate Links And Attachments: Hover over links before clicking to verify the address, and avoid opening attachments from unknown sources or unexpected senders.
Additionally, it's crucial to have a cybersecurity expert monitor your network and filter out email spam before employees can make costly mistakes. Ensure you are taking the necessary precautions to protect your network. Phishing attacks are effective and frequent. Don't let yourself become the next victim.
If you need help training your team on
cybersecurity best practices or implementing a robust cybersecurity system, or
just want a second set of eyes to examine what you currently have in place and
assess if there are any vulnerabilities, we are ready to help. Call us at 833-443-8357 or click here to
book a Discovery Call with our team.
