Do you know the dangers of phishing attacks? Here's a definition of phishing and why it's cause for concern:
A recent Verizon report revealed that 82% of all network breaches are caused by human factors such as stolen credentials, phishing attacks, social engineering, impersonation, misuse, or mistakes. Phishing attacks are cyber-attacks in which cybercriminals obtain sensitive information (such as usernames, passwords, credit card details) by masquerading as a trusted source. Successful phishing scams can result in financial loss, reputational damage, and unauthorized access to private information.
As technology evolves, so do cybercriminals' methods, making identifying and preventing phishing attempts more challenging. But by following these helpful tips and advice, employees can effectively mitigate phishing attacks and create a safe and orderly workplace.
Phishing Attack Prevention Measures
1. Self-training
Stay abreast of the latest phishing tactics by taking security training courses, reading about cybersecurity trends, news, events, best practices, and more. The sophistication and types of phishing are constantly increasing and evolving, and it is critical to stay informed about current threats.
2. Be Vigilant and Questioning
Be cautious and question the legitimacy of all emails, texts and phone calls. If you accidentally receive an email from a colleague, financial institution, government agency, or vendor, watch for these telltale signs of phishing:
Spelling or grammatical errors: Scammers intentionally include spelling and grammatical errors in phishing emails to target unsuspecting innocent victims, while also weeding out users who are sensitive to phishing tactics and would not fall for the scam . A typo in an email may bypass email security filters or create a sense of authenticity in the message. Also, this type of error can occur if the sender is not well versed in the language used in the email.
Urgent need for sensitive information: Use language with a sense of urgency or fear in emails to enable the target to act quickly and without thinking.
Suspicious Links: Asking for personal information or downloading malware to user devices, clicking on phishing links may open suspicious websites.
Spoofed email addresses: Although phishing emails appear to be from legitimate sources, hovering over the sender's email address allows you to check whether it matches the assumed organization.
Unexpected attachments: Phishing emails can contain unexpected and malicious attachments that can damage a user's device or steal user information.
3. Use strong passwords and two-factor authentication
Create unique, strong passwords, and enable two-factor authentication whenever possible to add an extra layer of security to your accounts. Create strong passwords using a combination of upper and lower case letters, numbers, and symbols.
Understand the strength of your passwords with Hive System's infographic, while managing passwords with Splashtop Vault. Your account can be compromised without your knowledge, and we recommend that you change your password regularly and add other methods of authentication.
4. Make sure software and security tools are up to date
To protect against the latest threats, regularly update the operating system, antivirus, firewall, and antimalware software on all devices. These updates include security patches to address known vulnerabilities and protect users from phishing attacks.
5. Do not click on suspicious links or download attachments
Before clicking on a link or downloading an attachment in an unknown email, text or instant message, hover over the link to check the URL. Clicking on phishing links or attachments can lead to malware installation, data theft or financial loss.
If you receive a suspicious message, check the email address for typos or generic greetings, and verify the legitimacy of the message with the sender.
6. Careful handling of personal information
Phishing attacks typically trick users into providing personal or financial information, such as usernames, passwords, or social security numbers. Be cautious when sharing information online, as formal institutions never ask for personal information by email or phone.
7. Beware of impostors
Check that the email address and sender name match. Common social engineering clues include:
request for sensitive information
request remittance
Unusual or sudden purchase requests
Sudden Changes to Direct Deposit
8. Use public Wi-Fi sparingly
Avoid accessing sensitive information when using public Wi-Fi. Hackers can easily steal data from unsecured networks.
9. Use anti-phishing tools
Download the anti-phishing plug-in, which can protect user devices from phishing attacks. Anti-phishing tools block access to malicious websites by analyzing emails and URLs for known phishing patterns. The following are commonly used anti-phishing plugins:
Netcraft Extension: This plugin compares websites to a database of phishing sites by monitoring websites and alerting users when suspicious sites are detected.
Avira Browser Safety: This plugin blocks malicious sites like phishing sites and scans downloaded malware.
Web of Trust (WOT): This plugin rates websites based on trustworthiness and reputation, and alerts users to sites with a bad reputation.
10. Always report suspicious activity
Immediately report suspected phishing scams to the appropriate authorities, such as the IT department or the Federal Trade Commission. Reporting helps IT identify potential phishing threats so they can prevent further attacks in the future.
Prevent phishing attacks, start with me
Phishing attacks pose a significant threat to individuals and organizations, resulting in financial loss, reputational damage, and unauthorized access to private information.
However, employees can effectively mitigate these types of attacks by staying informed, staying vigilant, and following the practical tips and recommendations above. Participating in training, being cautious, and reporting suspicious activity can go a long way toward protecting ourselves and our organizations from phishing attacks.
Secure Remote Access Solutions
Looking for a secure remote access solution for your business? Splashtop remote access software gives employees a secure way to access work computers anytime, anywhere. When using Splashtop, you can have peace of mind knowing that all your data and network are protected.