Setton Recommends 5 Tips to Stay Safe From Phishing Scams
Phishing is currently the most common type of cybercrime, and it continues to increase in sophistication. On average an employee receives 1.2 phishing emails per day!
The first line of defense in safeguarding your information and assets is for you and your employees to recognize phishing attempts.
We wanted to provide you with information to help in this cybersecurity fight. Below, we have tips to avoid phishing scams and have attached a visual deliverable you can share.
Five essential tips to help identify and avoid phishing scams:
- Urgency: Be wary of emails that create a sense of panic or immediate action. Legitimate organizations typically do not convey urgent or anxiety-inducing messages via email. If in doubt, verify the message through other means, such as a phone call.
- Unexpected Attachments: Exercise caution with email attachments, especially from unknown senders or financial institutions. Legitimate banks and companies prefer secure channels for sensitive transactions. When in doubt, refrain from downloading attachments.
- Spelling and Grammar: Professional communications are generally free of blatant spelling and grammar mistakes. Emails with such errors, particularly from supposed reputable sources, are often phishing attempts.
- Requests for Personal Information: Authentic emails rarely directly ask for sensitive personal information. If you’re prompted to share details like your Social Security number or credit card information, it’s likely a scam.
- Suspicious Links and Email Addresses: Inspect links and email addresses for authenticity. A simple mouse-over can reveal a suspicious link. Email addresses with multiple periods or slight alterations from official domains should raise red flags.
If you encounter a suspicious email, avoid clicking any links or taking any action in the email. Your vigilance is a key defense against phishing.
When in doubt, throw it out.
We want to help local businesses protect themselves from these targeted attacks. Reach out to Setton Consulting today to start a conversation on all of your options on how you can train your staff and protect your data.