No company is safe from phishing attacks. Even if it’s the last thing you would want to happen to your company, it’s an inevitable fact that you may encounter phishing attempts, especially if your company’s internal system is not secure. It’s one of the most common types of cybercrime, and hackers deploy it more than ever.
While most companies or internet users have become more careful and aware of phishing, attackers have also doubled their skills and strategies to get as many victims as possible. If you don’t want to be a victim of phishing, it’s best to keep yourself informed about this crime and how you may unwittingly fall victim to it.
In this article, you will learn more about phishing and how you can prevent attacks.
What Is Phishing?
If you’re unfamiliar with phishing, let’s define what it is first. Phishing is a high-tech scam that many users fall prey to and become victims of disclosing personal identities and login credentials unintentionally. It can be a breach inflicted by hackers to steal or misuse data, infect or compromise the user’s device, or intrude upon or damage its equipment.
Attackers are wise with their phishing strategies, making it difficult for some users to determine if they have been victims of a phishing attack. They can fool internet users that they can be trusted because they sometimes imitate long-established organisations.
What Are the Most Common Phishing Strategies Attackers Use?
Hackers’ motives have remained the same over the years—to get malware past security measures or access credentials. The most common strategy that attackers use to achieve their goal is through the use of malicious links or attachments. Once the user clicks the link or downloads the attachment, the hacker will successfully get the access credentials or other information from the user.
You should educate your employees about phishing because nowadays, phishing attacks are nearly impossible to tell from the real thing. Attackers have evolved their presentation of phishing; that’s why the growing number of victims has become alarming.
Who Is Being Targeted by Phishers?
Phishers use different kinds of phishing tactics, and they target whoever they think is vulnerable. For example, spear-phishing targets specific individuals or organisations using the sites they visit the most or are familiar with. Sometimes, phishers imitate known individuals in order to lure users easily.
Another example is whaling. Whaling is even more precise because it targets executives and high-ranking officers. The approach in whaling attacks for employees usually involves a certain level of urgency so that there’s a higher chance the user will take action immediately. The subject in whaling attacks typically involves financial, legal, or security concerns, which are all alarming for the victim.
How Can Your Organisation Avoid Phishing?
Phishing will continue to flourish in the future, so it’s crucial to take precautionary steps to manage the attacks. If you lead an organisation, here are the things you can do to avoid becoming a victim of a phishing attack:
- Use social engineering pen testing services or tools
- Educate your employees about phishing and follow best practices
- Conduct anti-phishing penetration tests regularly
Phishing is a serious attack that needs to be addressed and focused on. You should not underestimate attackers because they are skilled enough to inflict damage and create a crisis in your organisation. If you don’t want to become a victim of phishing, it’s best to educate yourself and your employees so that all of you will become aware and prevent possible attacks.
If you want to establish more robust security measures against phishing, IQPC is here to help! We are an IT support company offering cyber security in Perth. Our highly experienced mobile technicians are ready to come right to your office or worksite, bringing their wealth of IT knowledge and excellent support infrastructure. Get in touch with us today!
