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One of the most common security challenges that businesses and individuals face in our country today is Phishing attacks. Phishing is defined as social engineering using malicious websites and email, as well as other channels, to obtain personal information from a business or individual by posing as a trustworthy entity or organization.

These attacks often go through emails by sending messages which appear to be from a trusted institution to the recipient, or one the recipient does business with, such as a website service or financial institution where they hold an account. The attempt is to trick the recipient into taking the attacker’s action and provide them with login information or other sensitive information.

These attacks typically use email, but can also come in the form of a phone call, through social media, or any other form of communication where the attacker can steal valuable data. These are some of the top cybersecurity risks businesses face through phishing attacks.

 1. Spear Phishing

Spear phishing is a scheme using a fake company name and impersonating it with key details about its target. Just as sales representatives will find a person or business’s name, position, and other personalized information about them, the attacker uses this information to pitch a trap. This form of phishing is especially dangerous as it gives the recipient a sense of ease when they hear the attacker use some of their personal information.

2. Impersonation of a Company

Impersonation is where an attacker impersonates a company’s brand. This form of phishing is normally done through emails and uses a domain the recipient misreads as the one they do business with already. This form of phishing is challenging to look for and is not detected until an unsuspecting victim falls for it and alerts the company being impersonated.

3. Phishing Through Phone Calls

VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) technology allows scammers to impersonate companies. This form of phishing uses techniques that employ having personal details about their victims as well as using information from the company they are impersonating to get their targets to feel at ease and release the valuable information they want to steal.

4. Taking Over Emails

If a member of your management team or executive team is vulnerable, a phishing attacker can gain access to their email credentials. The attackers will target anyone they can through these emails, such as other team members, colleagues, and your customers. By using your trusted email information, they will attempt to steal, and often are successful, valuable information from their targets.

Why Cybersecurity is Vital and How Your Business Can Avoid Being a Victim

Cybersecurity protects your data from damage and theft. This data includes your PII (personal and identifiable information), PHI (protected health information), intellectual property, industry and governmental information systems, and any other sensitive data. Without cybersecurity, your business cannot defend itself against becoming an irresistible target to cybercriminals.

Contact NetWorks Consulting Resources to learn how we can protect your data centers against unauthorized access. There are also some steps your business can take to prevent becoming a phishing victim.

  • A common mistake a business makes is leaving itself vulnerable by not having the right tools in place. Along with this, there is no training in place for employees to inform them of their roles in information security. It is vital to your security to train your employees and conduct mock phishing scenarios so they know what to look for in possible attacks. 
  • Protect your systems by:
    • Keeping all systems current with the latest security updates and patches
    • Deploy a SPAM filter that is able to detect blank senders, viruses, etc.
    • Install an antivirus solution, monitor the status of this antivirus, and make sure signature updates are scheduled
    • Deploy a web filter so malicious websites are blocked
    • Ensure all sensitive company information is encrypted
  • Limit internet browsing as this naive action can make your business fall prey to phishing attacks. Internet browsing risks should also be part of your employee training on avoiding threats from phishing.

Where to Learn More About Cybersecurity Risks Your Business Faces

NetWorks Consulting Resources can design and maintain a computerized system for your business to keep you safe from cybercrimes. Our cybersecurity team will coordinate efforts throughout your system to provide infrastructure security, network security, and a host of other protections. Put your business ahead of these attackers and contact us today to prevent the risks of cybercrimes.