The first malicious email was discovered in 1995, and phishing has been around since the mid-1990s. With the release of the infamous Love Bug virus in the year 2000, this cyber threat gained international attention. Many people were tricked into opening the email since it came with an attachment that appeared to be a love letter. Identical tactics, believe it or not, are still utilized by hackers today.
What Is Phishing?
Scammers fool you by using email or text messages to lure you into supplying personal information. They may try to gain access to your passwords, account numbers, or social security numbers. If they get such information, they may be able to gain access to your email, bank, or other accounts. Scammers try hundreds of phishing attacks like these every day, and they are often successful. According to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center, phishing activities cost customers $57 million in a year.
Although phishing email and text message strategies are always developing, there are a few telling signs that might help you recognize a phishing email or text message. Keep in mind that phishing emails and SMS messages may appear to come from a company or person you know or trust.
Types of Attacks
There are three major variations of phishing attacks:
- Email phishing
- Spear phishing
- CEO fraud
Email Phishing
Email phishing is the most common type of phishing attempt. Malicious actors have been spotted sending emails that mimic the logos and messaging of well-known companies or contractors. They meticulously hide harmful links or macro attachments in email content and encourage unsuspecting employees to install data-stealing malware on company computers and other devices.
Spam is generally sent to email addresses that are misspelled. The majority of these deliberate mistakes are minor, making them difficult to detect. Be wary of changes that substitute similar-looking letters or numerals for specified letters or numerals. Clicking on a shortened link in an email is never a smart idea since you might not understand where it takes you until it’s too late.
Spear Phishing
Although spear phishing is a sort of email phishing, it is more targeted than email phishing. Hackers start by gathering open-source intelligence from publicly available sources such as online periodicals, social media, and business websites in order to carry out such an assault. Hackers then use this information to pose as trusted employees of the company, making them even more dangerous. To protect yourself from spear phishing, you must first learn how to spot this type of assault.
If an email attachment requests your network login credentials or other sensitive information, it’s advised to err on the side of caution and report the email. While most of us utilize shared folders such as Google Drive or Microsoft OneDrive for work, a link to them can occasionally include harmful malware.
CEO Fraud
CEO fraud, often known as whaling, is a type of spear-phishing in which fraudsters deliberately target the CEO of a firm. Workers are being persuaded to disclose sensitive financial information, as well as login credentials and other private information, as part of this effort. This is the most convincing impersonation ever, but it’s also the easiest to see. Is it typical for your company’s CEO to send emails asking for money transfers or login credentials to random employees? The answer is nearly usually no in most businesses.
Ways to Prevent Phishing
- Security Awareness Training
When it comes to workplace cybersecurity, human error remains one of the most serious flaws. Furthermore, with new types of cyberattacks occurring on a regular basis, the normal person may find it difficult to keep up. As a result, your company’s employees should get ongoing security awareness training.
- Strong AntiVirus Solution
Antivirus software, which is meant to scan files for indications of harmful code insertion, can also help protect against phishing scams. When a threat is discovered, antivirus software blocks the infected file from running, preventing hackers from delivering their payload to your company’s network.
- Implement DKIM, SPF, and DMARC
Adopt state-of-the-art email authentication standards like DKIM, SPF, and DMARC to keep your domain safe from spoofing and phishing attacks. These protocols employ a variety of techniques to ensure that outgoing and incoming emails cannot be forged. These protocols improve both brand security and image. Customers are more inclined to trust a secure brand than one that is not. Check your records using EmailAuth’s free SPF, DKIM, and DMARC checker.
There are various other ways in which you can bolster your email and internet surfing. Make sure you don’t leave anything behind to ensure the safety and security of your data and money while surfing online. To learn more about email authentication, head to EmailAuth.