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How to Spot a Phishing Email

10 Tips to Better Spot Phishing Emails

How to Spot a Phishing EmailEmail phishing activity is reaching a new high, especially in the financial services sector.

Common attacks are nothing more than online scams involving gift cards, while some are targeted spear phishing campaigns with the goal of gaining access to corporate networks. The best defense against fraudulent emails is educating end-users on how to spot suspicious emails. Phishing schemes often have signs that can trigger recipients to question their veracity. The key is to slow down and pay attention to the details. To that end, we have put together a list of ten common phishing email characteristics.

10 Signs of a Phishing Scam

  1. It just doesn’t look right – Is there something a little off with the emails? Too good to be true? Trust your instincts about the warning signs of potentially suspicious activity.
  2. Generic salutations –  Instead of directly addressing you, phishing messages often use generic names like “Dear Customer.” Using impersonal greetings saves the cybercriminals time so they can maximize their number of potential victims.
  3. Links to official-looking sites asking for sensitive data – These fake websites are often very convincing, so before revealing personal information or confidential data, examine the site to make sure it’s not a fraudulent website.
  4. Unsolicited email that uses personal details about you – Information like job title, previous employment, or personal interests can be gleaned from social networking sites like LinkedIn and then used to make a phishing email more convincing.
  5. Unnerving phrases – Thieves often use phrases meant to scare you (such as saying your account has been breached) to trick you into acting without thinking and in doing so, revealing information you ordinarily would not.
  6. Bad grammar or spelling – Grammar mistakes and misspelled words are a dead giveaway in a basic phishing attack. The use of unusual syntax is also a sign that something is wrong.
  7. Urgent request – For example: “If you don’t respond within 48 hours, your account will be closed.” By convincing you the clock is ticking, phishing scammers hope you’ll make a mistake by clicking on a phishing link or opening a malicious attachment.
  8. You’ve won the grand prize – This phishing technique is common but easy to spot. A similar, trickier variation asks you to complete a survey (thus giving up your personal information) in return for a prize.
  9. Verify your account –  These types of phishing attacks spoof real emails asking you to verify an online account with a site or organization. Always question why you’re being asked to verify – there’s a good chance it’s a scam.
  10. Cybersquatting – Often, cybercriminals will purchase and squat on website names that are similar to an official website in the hopes that users go to the wrong site, such as www.google.com vs. www.g00gle.com. Always take a moment to check out the URL before entering your personal information.

Related content: 6 Steps to Reduce Phishing 

Coretelligent’s Recommendation:

It is essential for your organization to have comprehensive solutions for cybersecurity designed by a trustworthy, proactive provider. Our CoreArmor solution offers 24/7 intrusion detection and monitoring, in-depth assessment to identify vulnerabilities, best-in-class phishing testing and end-user awareness training, and more. Your organization must be protected against emerging email threats in 2024 and beyond. Contact us today for strategic guidance on how to mitigate the security risk from phishing attempts.

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How to Avoid Increased Risk from Phishing Attacks

How to Avoid Increased Risk from Phishing Attacks After SVB Shutdown 

Reports of cybercriminals registering suspicious domains after the Silicon Valley Bank shutdown indicate potential coordinated campaigns to trick account holders and users across industries, including tech, life sciences, and investment firms. Learn how to avoid these phishing attacks.

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What is a common indicator of a phishing attempt

 

Since the news about Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) dropped, much of the focus has been on how the shutdown happened and the implications for the industry and the economy at large. However, amidst the worry about the impacts lies another danger—the risk of increased cyber-attacks, particularly from phishing attempts and other social engineering. Of course, it is essential always to remain vigilant, but bad actors often take advantage of opportunities like this to ramp up their efforts.

A sudden change in business procedures can create a vulnerable window of opportunity for cybercriminals to launch malicious campaigns. As we’ve seen with other incidents, attackers have taken advantage of any vulnerabilities arising from the disruption to perpetrate attacks on other companies.

It has been reported that cybercriminals have been registering suspicious domains after the Silicon Valley Bank shutdown that can be used in coordinated campaigns to trick end-users into sharing sensitive information.

With this in mind, organizations must remain extra vigilant for phishing attempts and other social engineering tactics during times of uncertainty that cybercriminals can exploit.

How to Avoid Phishing Attacks?

Here are some tips to help your firm avoid phishing attacks:

  • Expect an increase in phishing, social engineering, and phone calls and email attempts to gain access to your data and accounts.
  • Attackers will use language to appeal to your emotions. For example, click this now, urgent, your money is running out, etc.
  • Finance teams must carefully verify and validate any account changes or new account requests.
  • Implement multifactor authentication if your organization does not already employ it.
  • Ensure that employees are aware of the increased risk and ensure they can recognize social engineering and phishing attempts.
  • Follow up with a regular training program for end-users to ensure employees are always ready to identify the latest tactics utilized by cyber attackers.

What is a common indicator of a phishing attempt?

  • Here are some of the usual signs of an email phishing attempt. Often phishing schemes will include several of these markers.
  • An email sent from an address that does not match the domain associated with the sender. For example, if you receive an email from someone claiming to be from SVB but with a different domain name in the “from” field, this should be a red flag.
  • Emails with misspelled words and grammatical or syntax errors could also signal a malicious attempt.
  • Emails that include links or attachments should be carefully scrutinized. It is always best to err on the side of caution and not click links or open attachments until you can confirm that they are from a trusted source.
  • Unsolicited emails that ask for or direct you to a link or document asking for personally identifying information (PII) like passwords, wire transfer details, login credentials, or other sensitive data should be treated with extreme caution.
  • Finally, if an email contains a sense of urgency, includes offers of immediate assistance, or requests payment now, this could be a sign of a phishing attempt. Again, be sure to take the time to independently verify the request before taking any action.

If you encounter any of these signs, it is best to flag the email and alert your IT department immediately. Taking precautions to protect yourself from phishing attempts is critical in safeguarding your company’s data.

Related Content: Why are Phishing Emails so Dangerous, and How Can You Spot Them?

It is essential to remain vigilant when there is heightened risk from cyber criminals taking advantage of a highly volatile situation like SVB’s recent closure. By following best practices such as implementing multifactor authentication, conducting end-user training, and relying on a multilayered cybersecurity program, you can protect your business from cyber criminals looking to take advantage of the uncertainty during this and the next inciting incident.

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What is cyber hygiene and cyber hygiene best practices?

What is Cyber Hygiene & Why is it Important? (Best Practices)

Cyber HygieneWhat is Cyber Hygiene?

The consistent implementation of cybersecurity best practices to ensure the security and handling of your networks and critical data is what is known as cyber hygiene. Coretelligent will be sharing information and resources to help you fortify your cyber hygiene and keep your business safe from  threats.

7 Cyber Hygiene Best Practices

We have put together a list of cybersecurity tips as a quick introduction to persuade your team to assess your firm’s current security readiness from a cyber attack.

  1. Double (or triple) up on login protection.

    Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) across your organization for all accounts and devices to ensure that only authorized users gain access to your secure data. CISA’s Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) How-to-Guide is a good resource for more information.

  2. Shake up your password protocol.

    According to the NIST guidance, users should consider using the longest password or passphrase permissible. Encourage end-users to switch up passwords across applications, accounts, and websites. Using unique, strong passwords can make it more difficult for cybercriminals to gain access and protect your organization in the event of a breach.

    A password manager and online password generator can be employed to generate and for remembering different, complex passwords. Another solution is to employ SSO to control passwords centrally and avoid user password sprawl across various platforms, which can lead to poor password choices, reuse, and insecure safekeeping.

  3. If you connect, you must protect.

    Whether it’s a laptop, smartphone, or another networked device, the best defense against viruses and malware attacks is to perform updates on a regular basis to verify that the latest software updates get applied to your software, browser, and operating systems.

    A plan that includes the automatic security update is a critical layer of security and part of a multi-layered defense strategy.

  4. Don’t get hooked.

    Cybercriminals use phishing tactics, hoping to fool their victims. So, if you’re unsure who an email is from—even if the details appear accurate— or if the email looks phishy, do not respond, and do not click on any attachments or suspicious links in emails.

    Instead, report the phishing attempt to help your IT team and email provider block other suspicious fake emails before they arrive in your inbox. In addition, the use of random phishing simulations is a valuable exercise to help end-users spot phishing attempts.

  5. Beware of social engineering traps.

    Many people don’t realize that many of the posts seen on social media asking for seemingly random details are created by criminal networks. They use these posts to gather data that can be mined for potential passwords and other secure information.

    For example, posts like, “What car do you wish you still had?” or “Tag your childhood best friend” can be used to help criminals work out the answers to your security questions.

    Not only can these tactics impact personal data but are used to target employees in order to gain access to corporate networks. Read CISA’s Social Media Cybersecurity Tip Sheet for more information about good social media and cybersecurity practices.

  6. Don’t forget about mobile.

    Most connected Internet of Things devices are supported by mobile applications. Mobile devices are often filled with suspicious apps running in the background, or using default permissions users never realized they approved, which are gathering personal information and login credentials without the user being aware.

    A robust cybersecurity posture should include a plan for protecting data from employees using compromised mobile devices to access to corporate networks.

  7. Stay protected while connected.

    Using Virtual Private Network (VPN) for employees remotely connecting is the best way to protect networks. A VPN creates a secure connection that encrypts information so that it’s hidden as it travels. This connection makes it harder for attackers to see and access data.

    VPNs are essential when accessing sensitive data like personally identifiable information (like social security numbers) or protected health information, especially when using public wi-fi networks. In today’s hybrid workplace, VPNs are a must to protect against suspicious activity.

From a phishing attack to a ransomware attack, cyber threats are constantly evolving. If you are unsure whether your firm employs good cybersecurity hygiene best practices or not, then it may be time for a security check-up.

Remember, cybercriminals will use any security vulnerabilities they can find to gain access and steal data. You can start with these cybersecurity tips and move on to using our free Cybersecurity Checklist to review your security measures.

Download the Cybersecurity Checklist

 

Coretelligent is here to help with advice from our cybersecurity experts. Protect your business and learn more about our enhanced managed cybersecurity services designed specifically for small-to-mid-sized companies. Reduce your risk from security incidents – contact us today for help responding to your cybersecurity gaps.

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Why are Phishing Emails so Dangerous and How Can You

Why are Phishing Emails so Dangerous and How Can You Spot Them?

Though it’s been around for a while, phishing attacks continue to be one the most common attacks and a favorite among hackers for their effectiveness and simplicity. These types of malicious attacks account for 90% of all data breaches.

Phishing schemes target the weakest link in the security chain–individual users. Phishing messages usually look like legitimate emails and include suspicious links or a malicious attachment made to look like legitimate links or a document from a trusted source. Use these resources to educate yourself and your end-users on better recognizing fraudulent emails.

7 Ways to Combat Phishing Emails

  1. Humans play a critical role in data breaches. Phishing scammers look for human errors to exploit and use social engineering tactics to obtain sensitive information and login details. Learn more by reading Cybersecurity and the Human Element.
  2. With email being the primary communication tool of business, it’s no surprise that it remains a top security risk. Attackers favor email messages because they can go around technical security measures by focusing their efforts on end-users. Discover more about how scammers use the phishing technique in Email Security Threats: You’ve Got Malware.
  3. Ransomware attacks are on the rise for financial services, according to the SEC’s OCIE. Attackers use phishing scams to gain access to your organization’s systems or data. Once they have access, they lock you out by encrypting your data, demand a ransom for the return of control, and may threaten to publish sensitive data if payment is not made. Read more in Ransomware on the Rise for Financial Services.
  4. Read Top 10 Cybersecurity Recommendations for a list of ten recommendations and best practices that can help better protect your business from fraudulent activities and evolving cyber threats.
  5. Does your organization know how to identify a spear phishing attempt? 6 Steps to Take to Reduce Phishing describes potential scammers’ strategies and the tell-tale signs of email phishing.
  6. In Most Common Types of Cyber Attacks & How to Prevent Them, we share cybersecurity tips to prevent some of the most common types of cyberattacks by proactively managing your risk profile.
  7. The End-User Awareness Training guide makes a case for end-user awareness training to mitigate human error and help users recognize suspicious activity. In addition, you will learn how to spot types of phishing attacks and other social engineering attacks.

Cybersecurity Awareness Month is a great time to reevaluate your security risk profile, reinforce your posture with additional security measures, and educate your team on. We hope these resources will help increase awareness and prevent future data breaches. Reach out to learn how Coretelligent can help protect your business with our robust cybersecurity solutions.

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