Anyone can fall victim to a phishing email attack. Phishing is a dangerous activity that can cause anxiety, financial loss, and reputational damage. Phishing scams use fraudulent emails and websites to steal confidential and sensitive information, such as account numbers, credentials, passwords, address details, social security number, credit card numbers, and more. Text messages, emails, and websites posing as official sources, like your bank or other trustworthy institutions, appear legitimate. You may be asked for personal information, which would then be used by criminals to gain access to private information and perpetrate identity theft.
The chances you will be targeted by a phishing attack are increasing as the scammers launch thousands of phishing schemes everyday. Many
varieties of phishing attacks are in use, with
spear-phishing being one of the most commonly used methods. Considering the ever-present threats of cleverly disguised attacks by cybercriminals on companies of every size and shape, the need for email security can’t be overstated. If you lack the necessary protection and accidentally responded to a phishing email, you need to know what to do and how to react effectively to this serious threat.
Phishing Emails: What to Do If You Open One
Anyone within an organization can be the target of a phishing email. Establishing best practices that all users can follow to protect themselves is imperative for companies. Training programs intended to increase security awareness should be incorporated into every organization to avoid phishing scams. If you opened or responded to a suspicious email, and were tricked into
clicking on a link to a bogus website, downloading a malicious file or email attachment, here are five critical steps you should take to minimize the damage.
1. Contact IT Support
Having already opened the phishing email, the first thing you should do is disconnect your computer from the network and notify your IT support team. They will most likely perform a complete scan of your computer as well as email account for virus and other malware.
You should not use your compromised computer under any circumstances until the scan is completed and IT gives you the go-ahead. Your IT team will take care of cleaning and restoring your device if the scan identifies any suspicious files or applications.
2. Change Account Passwords
Most of the time, when you respond to a phishing email, you are asked to provide login credentials to “confirm” your identity in a forged application or website. Attackers are adept at imitating authentic platforms. Once in possession of your login credentials, the hacker can use those credentials to log into your computer, access your files, and explore your company network for valuable information. The scammers can perform financial transactions, make purchases, send requests for money transfers, attack your suppliers and customers, and commit other cyber crimes. Since the attackers are poised to jump onto your account the moment they get your credentials, it’s essential that you change your password as soon as possible.
You should change your password not just for your company account for accessing email and the network, but for literally all other accounts you own. Start with your company account, but don’t stop there. The perpetrators will hunt down every website, email, and service associated with your name and try your username and password.
Two additional best practices regarding passwords:
Do not use the same password on more than one account. Typically, computer users have dozens if not hundreds of accounts. Using the same username and password on every account is tempting to ease the strain on the brain’s limited memory capacity. But don’t give in. Use a reputable password wallet app to store usernames and passwords for all your email and other online accounts.
Passwords do not have to be long, but they must be complex enough to avoid easy guessing. A combination of at least eight upper- and lower-case letters, numerals, and special characters is usually recommended.
3. Raise Cybersecurity Awareness
Even when you are careful, you can still fall victim to a phishing scam. Knowing what to look for and practicing your detection skills will increase your chances of thwarting an attack. Conducting a security awareness program in your company once a year is not enough. Regular, frequent security training is essential. To help your employees avoid becoming victims of phishing, provide ongoing training featuring
simulated phishing tests.
4. Consult Relevant Enforcement Agencies and Regulatory Authorities
Government regulations and industry standards require organizations to report phishing attacks within a specified period after the attack is first detected. For example, health care organizations must comply with HIPAA laws to ensure phishing emails are not used as a means of compromising patient confidentiality.
In addition to ensuring compliance with industry standards and regulations, it is imperative to file a case with the appropriate law enforcement authorities. The extent of the damage caused by the phishing incident may determine whether you need to move forward with a police report and whether local, state, or federal agencies should get involved
5. Check Your Accounts Regularly
Keep an eye out for suspicious activity on your credit card and bank accounts. When you detect suspicious or unfamiliar activity on your credit report, set a fraud alert or a credit freeze on your credit report. Remove the alert only when you feel comfortable doing so. Furthermore, you should pay attention to bills from utility and credit card companies as well as other providers that you don’t recognize.
Final Thoughts on Phishing Attacks
You may not realize you have security lapses in your company’s systems until it is too late. An important first step toward achieving peace of mind comes from conducting an honest assessment of your risk management practices. Tightening your existing security measures is a good first step.
Traditional security protections can take you only so far, however. Trustifi’s industry-respected and highly touted email security solutions allow you to always be vigilant against receiving phishing emails and a host of other cyber attacks. Trustifi’s multi-layered protections keep suspicious emails from entering your inbox to begin with, reducing the likelihood that the scammer will be able to trick an unsuspecting user. Our
foolproof email encryption solution protects all emails coming into and leaving your email servers, safeguarding your sensitive data and your contacts. Our One-Click Compliance® program takes the human element out of meeting stringent government regulations for data privacy and security. Our
secure email backup and recovery solution ensures you against
ransomware and crypto-malware. And our Data Loss Prevention system employs AI and machine learning to plug data leaks quickly
Trustifi’s
major-league security solutions are designed for small to mid-sized businesses. Now you can afford the serious security solutions that were once available only to the corporate giants. Contact a Trustifi security consultant today to learn how easily you can protect your company from phishing emails and other cyber attacks.
