Phishing is an attempt to steal sensitive information by manipulating the victim. The attacker masquerades as a legitimate source and sends disguised messages, usually through email, hoping you click a link or open an attachment. Phishers use social engineering and bank on human error to ensnare a victim. Pishing remains the most common form of cybercrime according to a recent study by AAG.
A generic phishing email is sent to trap as many people as possible. But attackers can use different tactics like spear phishing and whaling to target specific people. It is important to understand and differentiate a legitimate message from a deceptive one.
There are certain red flags that you should watch out for to keep yourself from getting phished.
Generic greetings: Phishing emails often start with "Dear" or "Dear customer" without mentioning the victim's name.
Strange domain names: Always check if the sender's email address is associated with a reputable domain name. Confirm the authenticity of the domain that the email claims to be from.
Sense of urgency: Phishing messages are framed in such a way to pressure the victim into acting quickly with deadlines and limited-time offers.
Poor grammar: This isn't always the case, but some emails have poor spelling and grammar that are an easy giveaway.
Suspicious attachments: Emails come with unnecessary attachments and links that lead you to fake websites.
It is important to conduct security awareness training and make sure all your users stay updated on the latest phishing trends. A single user's misstep could give attackers access to exploit the whole organization.
Not many companies request your personal information through email. Ensure your passwords, account details, and Social Security numbers are never shared through email, text, or social media.
If you feel an email is suspicious and contains malicious links, you should first hover over the links and read the URL before clicking them. Ensure the links are secure by checking if they start with https. You could also type the link manually in your browser and verify if the link is legitimate.
Even if an attackers steal your password, your account stays secure with two-factor authentication (2FA). This introduces a second hurdle for attackers beyond a username and password.
Always keep your devices updated with the latest software and security patches. Even if malware gets into your machine, your security software could minimize the damage with the latest technology.
If you are well-educated on phishing, your gut feeling will tell you not to click a link or open an attachment. It is important to slow down and evaluate if the email makes sense as phishers try to pressure the victim by creating a sense of urgency. Remember, if something feels off, it probably is.
ADSelfService Plus is an identity security solution that offers passwordless authentication, which eliminates the primary target of phishing attacks. Instead of entering passwords, users can get authenticated via biometrics or FIDO passkeys.
ADSelfService Plus offers adaptive MFA and supports a wide range of authenticators. It provides MFA for endpoints, such as cloud and on-premises applications, VPNs, and OWA. Users can also access a wide range of applications through SSO and perform self-service password resets and account unlocks
You can prevent phishing by never sharing personal information in emails and staying away from deceptive links and attachments. It is important to question everything before interacting with an email.
Phishing is like someone pretending to be your friend to trick you into giving them your secrets.
Always examine email addresses and URLs before clicking them. Look for inconsistencies and have MFA enabled for all your accounts.
