Phishing attacks have become the most common cybercrime for a simple reason: they work. Every day, over 3.4 billion spam emails flood inboxes worldwide, tricking unsuspecting users into falling victim to these attacks. Phishing emails remain a favorite method of cybercriminals because they are easy to create, scalable, and increasingly effective, especially with the help of AI tools like ChatGPT. These tools allow scammers to craft emails that are nearly indistinguishable from legitimate communication, making it even harder for employees to detect them. If you’re not vigilant, phishing attacks can lead to devastating consequences for your business.
October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, which makes it the perfect time to brush up on your skills for recognizing phishing emails. These scams are one of the leading causes of data breaches and cyberattacks, which is why we’ve created this guide. Our S.E.C.U.R.E. Method will help you and your team stay sharp in identifying phishing emails and understanding the importance of doing so.
Why Are Phishing Attacks So Dangerous?
Phishing emails may seem harmless at first glance, but they can have far-reaching and serious consequences. Here are four significant risks that phishing scams pose to your organization:
- Data Breaches
When an employee clicks on a phishing email, they may inadvertently expose sensitive data to cybercriminals. This information can include anything from employee records to confidential customer data or proprietary company information. Once a hacker has this data, they can sell it on the dark web or demand a ransom for its return. Even if you pay, there’s no guarantee they’ll follow through and return your data. The fallout from a data breach often results in financial losses, legal penalties, and damage to your reputation, not to mention a decline in customer trust that can take years to rebuild.
- Financial Loss
Cybercriminals often use phishing emails to steal money directly from businesses. They might trick employees into approving fraudulent invoices or authorize unauthorized bank transfers. In many cases, the scam may be sophisticated enough to mimic a legitimate business request, making it difficult for employees to detect the fraud. Falling for one of these schemes can directly impact your bottom line, leading to significant financial loss.
- Malware Infections
Many phishing emails contain malicious attachments or links that, when clicked, install malware on your company’s devices. Malware can wreak havoc on your systems, causing data loss, system disruptions, and expensive recovery efforts. Depending on the type of malware, it might also give hackers access to your network, allowing them to spy on your activities or steal additional data.
- Compromised Accounts
One of the most dangerous aspects of phishing is that it often results in compromised user accounts. Once hackers gain access to an employee’s account, they can impersonate that person to send additional phishing emails or steal sensitive company information. Compromised accounts also allow attackers to move laterally through your network, gaining access to more critical systems and data as they go.
The threats posed by phishing attacks are real, but they are not inevitable. By following the right protocols and training your employees, you can reduce the likelihood of falling victim to a phishing scam.
The S.E.C.U.R.E. Method: How to Identify Phishing Emails
We developed the S.E.C.U.R.E. Method to help you and your employees stay safe from phishing emails. It’s a simple but effective checklist to follow whenever you receive an email that feels off.
- S – Start With The Subject Line
Look at the subject line carefully. Does it seem odd or out of place? Phishing emails often include strange or urgent subject lines like “FWD: FWD: FWD: review immediately” or “URGENT: Action Required!” Suspiciously formatted subject lines or excessive urgency can be a sign that something isn’t right. - E – Examine The Email Address
Even if the email appears to be from someone you know, double-check the sender’s email address. Is it misspelled or slightly different from the address you’re familiar with? Scammers often use email addresses that look legitimate at first glance but have minor alterations like a missing letter or extra number. - C – Consider The Greeting
Phishing emails often have unusual or generic greetings, such as “Dear Valued Customer” or “Hello Ma’am!” If the email doesn’t address you by name or uses a strange greeting, that’s a red flag. - U – Unpack The Message
Is the email trying to get you to act quickly by creating a false sense of urgency? Phishing messages often urge recipients to click a link, download an attachment, or act on an offer that seems too good to be true. Be wary of any message that pressures you into taking immediate action. - R – Review For Errors
Poor grammar, awkward phrasing, and unusual spelling mistakes are often signs of a phishing email. While legitimate companies do make the occasional typo, phishing emails tend to have a higher frequency of errors, which can be a warning sign. - E – Evaluate Links And Attachments
Always hover over any links in the email before clicking them. This will allow you to see the actual URL, which may reveal that it’s leading to a suspicious or unrelated website. Also, avoid opening attachments from unknown senders or emails you weren’t expecting.
Stay Protected With Professional Help
Even with the best training and awareness, it’s possible for phishing emails to slip through the cracks. That’s why having a cybersecurity expert monitor your network is crucial. They can help eliminate spam emails before they even reach your employees, reducing the risk of human error.
Don’t wait until it’s too late. Protect your business now by ensuring your cybersecurity systems are robust and up-to-date. If you need assistance training your team on cybersecurity best practices or would like a comprehensive assessment of your current network, we’re here to help. Call us at 717-914-0102 or click here.