Don’t get hooked on a Phishing Scam!
(Think twice before you click!) By: Mason Teeter, Business Development and Sales Lead
“Congratulations! You’ve just won 1 million Dollars! Click here to claim your prize before it’s too late!
Phishing is one of the most prevalent forms of cybercrime today. Phishing involves fraudulent communication, typically through email, text messages, or phone calls. Attackers often pose as a legitimate source, such as banks, services, or colleagues, with the primary goal of gathering your sensitive information similar to the message above. Shockingly, cybercriminals send an estimated 3.4 billion phishing emails daily, adding up to over a trillion phishing attempts each year.
Phishing attacks have changed over time with more personalized ways to trick you. Here are some of the most common threats people encounter today:
- Impersonation Phishing Emails: Attackers pretend to be trusted entities, such as banks or tech companies, tricking recipients into clicking malicious links or revealing sensitive information.
- Smishing (Text Message Phishing): Cybercriminals use text messages with urgent alerts to steal credentials or personal data.
- Business Email Compromise: These scams target businesses by sending emails that appear to come from a trusted colleague, often requesting wire transfers or sensitive data.
So, how are you supposed to stay safe with phishing attacks happening every day? Here are a couple of key tricks for identifying a phishing attack.
- Verify Suspicious Requests
If you receive an email that seems unusual or out of the ordinary, verify it through another channel, such as a phone call or in-person communication. This is especially important when asked to share personal or financial information. - Stay Alert
Be mindful of unfamiliar email addresses, unexpected attachments, and suspicious URLs, especially from senders outside your organization. Attackers often disguise themselves as legitimate companies, so always double-check for abnormality before engaging.
- Stay Calm and Rational
Cybercriminals frequently use fear and urgency to pressure people into responding without thinking. Take a moment to assess the situation carefully with a rational mindset before taking any action.
To protect yourself from phishing attacks, always be cautious with links and attachments. Avoid clicking on links or opening attachments from unknown senders, even if the message appears legitimate. It’s essential to verify the sender’s information by double-checking email addresses and names to ensure they match the expected source. A helpful tip is to hover your mouse over any link to view the actual URL path before clicking on it, which can help you spot suspicious sites. Additionally, enable two-factor authentication on your accounts for an extra layer of security, making it much harder for attackers to gain unauthorized access.