Your Cybersecurity & Phishing Email
Cybersecurity is your best defense against phishing emails that request you to click a link, open a document, or provide personal/corporate information. The results of a successful phishing attack could mean stolen identities or credit card information, compromised passwords, malware infection (including ransomware), and various other problems.
Cybersecurity Tips to Avoid Becoming a Phishing Victim
INSI offers many valuable tools to help protect your company from cybersecurity phishing, such as spam filters, antivirus software, firewalls, and data backups. All of these tools are critical in the defense against phishing; however, more than these resources are needed to prevent all attempts from reaching users. Ultimately, everyone must be educated and vigilant!
What to Look for in a Phishing Email?
Your end-users must be trained and tested on how to identify phishing emails. The following are the most common clues:
Unclear Heading:
- Make sure you know the sender. Also, ensure that the sender’s name matches their email address.
- Be wary when the subject is not clear. Usually, phishing emails are known to have oddities in the subject lines.
- Verify the recipient. A generic greeting is a sign of phishing.
Unusual Requests:
- One of the most significant red flags is if the email insists on urgent action. Cyber-criminals know that panicked users are likelier to click on a dangerous link.
- Never click on a link that claims it will redirect you to the company website as these links can actually send you to a fake website, and trick you into giving your username and password.
Inconsistent/Suspicious Content:
- Most professional companies will review their emails so that they will not often contain spelling or grammatical mistakes. Take another look if you see many simple errors.
- If you know the sender, ask yourself if the language sounds like the person you know. Look for a writing style inconsistent with how that person usually communicates.
- Ensure all attachments are clearly named. Many phishing emails use obscure or generic names to pique curiosity and encourage the recipient to open the attachment.
Now Let’s Take a Look at Some Real Examples!
Don’t Be Afraid to Ask the Sender!
When unsure if it is a phishing email, I call the person directly and ask if they sent it to me. Sometimes I reply to the email with the same question. I have found people do not get offended, and they are more than happy to answer this simple question.
INSI Security Package
INSI’s Secure-IT Kickstart Package includes a phishing email to all your employees. We track who clicks on the email to determine who needs additional training on cybersecurity. This package includes a security audit, network security vulnerability assessment, semi-annual security check, biannual penetration test, quarterly security checks, staff training, antivirus monitoring, web content filtering, web protection, spam protection, and 24X7X365 monitoring and response.
In addition, we also have MDR and Containment services to help remediate successful phishing attacks.
When In Doubt – Let Us Know
This post is part of the INSI Awareness Campaign intended to keep our clients protected and informed. If you are concerned about a phishing email, please do not hesitate to contact our helpdesk at 770-387-2424 before opening it. Our engineers are more than happy to check it out and ensure it is safe. After all, we are here to serve you! Contact INSI: 770-387-2424, option 2.
About INSI, The Best IT Support & Cybersecurity Provider in Atlanta
For over 25 years, Innovative Network Systems (INSI) has offered an integrated IT support and cybersecurity approach for small and medium-sized businesses in the Atlanta area. Their 100% local, college-educated, and experienced engineers provide a range of services from basic monitoring to fully Managed IT services. The INSI Customized-IT support model gives clients the exact level and type of service they want while providing greater accountability and reduced ongoing IT support costs. INSI options include cloud, cybersecurity, backups, cabling, wireless, business phones, strategic IT planning, and much more. Contact INSI to reach the best MSP in Atlanta: 770-387-2424, option 2.
About the Author
Deborah Frazier is the author of IT Outsourcing Secrets – A Small Business Guide to Compare IT Support Companies. With nearly 20 years of experience consulting small and medium-sized businesses on their IT support needs, she brings a wealth of knowledge to INSI as Head of Marketing and Sales. If you like this article and would like to get notified when a new article is posted, click here.
