Phishing Attacks are Very Common
A surefire way to get into an organization’s network that works is with phishing emails. Nearly 91% of cyberattacks begin with phishing emails, and more than 80% of reported security incidents in 2021 were phishing attacks. According to a 2021 report by CISCO, nearly 90% of data breaches occur due to phishing attacks.
How to Identify Phishing Emails
Phishing emails are a common way for cybercriminals to steal personal information, such as passwords, credit card numbers, and Social Security numbers. These emails are designed to look like they are from a legitimate source, such as a bank, credit card company, or government agency. However, they are actually fake and are designed to trick you into clicking on a malicious link or downloading a harmful attachment.
Here are some tips for identifying phishing emails:
- Look for misspellings or grammatical errors. Phishing emails are often poorly written and may contain misspellings or grammatical errors. This is because they are often created by people who are not native English speakers.
- Check the sender’s email address. The sender’s email address may be a fake address that looks like it is from a legitimate company. However, if you hover over the email address, you can usually see the real email address that the email was sent from.
- Be suspicious of emails that demand urgent action. Phishing emails often demand that you take urgent action, such as clicking on a link or downloading an attachment. This is because they want you to act quickly before you have time to think about it.
- Never click on links or download attachments in emails from people you don’t know. If you are not sure if an email is legitimate, it is best to err on the side of caution and not click on any links or download any attachments.
Steps You Can Take with Phishing Emails
If you think you have received a phishing email, here are some steps you can take:
- Do not click on any links or download any attachments.
- Report the email to the sender. If you know who the sender is, you can report the email to them, but not by replying to the email itself. Either confirm with the sender by calling them, talking to them face-to-face, or sending another separate email to an email address of theirs that you know is legitimate.
- Report the email to the company that the email claims to be from. The company may be able to take action to stop the phishing campaign. Again, though, do not reply to the email in question, but confirm with the company by calling the organization, emailing the organization in another separate email, or talking with a representative of the organization face-to-face.
- Scan your computer for malware. Phishing emails can sometimes contain malware that can infect your computer. It is important to scan your computer for malware after you receive a phishing email.
If You Fall for a Phishing Email
If you do fall for a phishing scam, it is important to contact your bank or credit card company immediately. You should also report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
Additional Tips
Here are some additional tips for protecting yourself from phishing emails:
- Use a strong password manager to create and store strong passwords for all of your online accounts.
- Enable two-factor authentication for all of your online accounts. This will add an extra layer of security to your accounts.
- Keep your software up to date. Software updates often include security patches that can help protect you from malware.
- Be careful about what information you share online. Don’t share your personal information, such as your Social Security number or credit card number, with people you don’t know.
By following these tips, you can help protect yourself from phishing emails and other online scams.
Who You Gonna Call?
If you do fall for a phishing email, contact Total Secure Technology immediately at 916.696.7200. We can help you assess the damage and take steps to protect your accounts.