4 Warning Signs of Phishing Emails
Many security threats today enter the organization through email and are enabled by end users without their knowledge. Whether you are an executive, an IT resource, or a concerned employee, educating yourself and your peers on what to look for in emails may be the single-most important step you can take in safeguarding sensitive data.
Remember: the impact of getting hacked or falling for a phishing scam can have a broad impact. Organizations often take tangible damages like financial losses and theft of intellectual property into consideration, but fail to consider the residual effects of a compromised reputation. It is nearly impossible to quantify the effect of potential customers not trusting your brand. So it begs the question – what can you do?
Here are 4 signs to watch out for to protect yourself and your organization from malicious emails:
1. Bad Spelling & Grammar
It is quite common for phishing scams and other types of malicious threats to come from countries where English is not the primary language spoken.
Often, these emails contain misspelled words and display poor grammar, which should definitely be seen as warning signs that something may not be right. If you happen to receive such emails, it is important that you do not respond to them or attempt to forward the messages to anyone else. Instead, it is best to delete these messages right away.
Additionally, make sure to inform your internal IT resource or managed service provider about any suspicious activity you have encountered, so they can take appropriate action.
2. Requests For Personal Information
A general rule of thumb: NEVER PROVIDE PERSONAL INFORMATION OVER EMAIL.
Hackers will impersonate trusted sites like your financial institution or healthcare provider to solicit personal information over email. A legitimate organization, however, will request that you visit their secure website to enter your information. Always use caution when providing information that could be used to ill-effect if it falls in the wrong hands.
3. Urgent Requests
These attacks will look like they came from websites you use every day (like Facebook, eBay, LinkedIn, Amazon, etc.).
Typically, they will mention that there is an issue with your account and will ask that you provide your username and password or direct you to a link to input your information, often creating a sense of urgency that something bad will happen if you don’t follow instructions quickly.
Instead of using the email, go directly to the website in question to see if there are issues with your account.
4. Unsolicited Email Attachments
Unless you are expecting to receive a link or attachment from a trusted source, try to avoid opening them in emails.
Attachments can contain executable files that install malware upon opening them and can spread across the network. Beware of messages from shipping services like UPS or FedEx that provide a link to a tracking number. If you haven’t ordered anything recently – chances are high it is a phishing scam!
You Are The First Line of Defense
In summary, be smart. Follow these four rules and you’ll probably have no problem. But if you slip up and believe you have been subjected to a security threat – tell your IT resource as soon as possible. The sooner you can notify your team of any potential exposures to cybersecurity threats, the better!
About Applied Tech
Applied Tech is a leading IT and cybersecurity services provider dedicated to helping businesses protect their digital assets. Our proactive and strategic services include cloud management, security, productivity, and IT growth strategy. With a team of experienced professionals, we provide unique solutions tailored to your IT needs.
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