We're all familiar with spam emails and have learned (for the most part) how to avoid them. However, phishing scams can seem more credible and could damage your essential business data and files.
Some phishing scams are even personalized just for you—making it more essential than ever to learn how to prevent these attacks from happening. Most cybercriminals have turned to online scams to lure you into giving out your personal information.
As more organizations continue to fall prey to these scams, we must know the red flags and how to avoid them. Do not take phishing scams too lightly; unlike common scams, they are harder to spot.
Even with all the new and updated antivirus software, you can never be 100% safe from scammers. Our main aim as your IT services partner and news source is to ensure your organization's security from these attacks.
On that note, let's discuss what phishing is and how to avoid it.
What is Phishing?
Simply put, phishing lures you into giving the scammer complete access to your personal information or bank credentials.
Once the scammer obtains login credentials in your company, they will have access to your company's sensitive information. This poses threats, such as exposing confidential data, and no one wants that.
These schemes will lure you into trusting your attacker and giving out valuable information. It may be something like your LinkedIn logins or maybe your whole identity. They will bait you into opening an attachment, clicking on a link, filling out a form, etc.
Here's a common scenario:
You're scrolling past your emails, then an alert from your bank pops up, and you get tempted to open the link, which you might. The link takes you to a webpage that looks exactly like your bank or close enough.
So, here's the catch: the webpage is a tool to steal your bank credentials. The alert will indicate a problem with your account and ask you for verification. Once you enter your logins, you're then sent to the actual website to verify a second time. By directing you to the right website, you won't realize what has happened till it's too late.
These attacks can be very detailed and convince you to enter your information. The dangers of phishing attacks are that almost anyone is vulnerable.
How To Avoid Phishing
To ensure you're safe from these attacks, we'll give you seven ways to avoid phishing scams:
1. Stay Informed on Phishing Strategies
Phishing techniques are evolving, and you could be a victim if you aren't up to date with the latest scams. Always watch for the latest news on phishing scams: By staying informed on the latest phishing scams, you'll be less likely to fall prey to one.
2. Avoid Clicking Every Link
As much as you get tempted to click on links, please don't. If you're browsing from a trusted site, it's okay, but clicking links that pop up on random sites or instant messages would be the wrong move.
If you're suspicious about any link, scroll past it. These emails often emulate genuine organizations, and the websites look identical to legitimate websites.
The email, however, may not include your name. Many phishing emails begin with "Dear Customer," so always be on your guard. If you're having second thoughts, go to the source directly instead of clicking a potentially harmful link.
3. Verify the Website's Security
Concern about giving out financial or personal information online is okay. So long as you're browsing on a secure site.
Before giving away your information, ensure the website's URL starts with "HTTPS." Also, look for an icon with a closed lock next to the address bar.
Look into the website's security certificate, too. If you receive an email stating that the site contains malicious files, steer clear of it. Do not download anything from such sites or emails.
4. Make Use of Firewalls
Excellent firewalls will shield your organization from any intruder. There are two various types that you can use:
The first type is software, while the second is hardware. When the two are combined, they can significantly minimize the chance of any hacker or scammer gaining access to your computer.
5. Be Cautious of Pop-Ups
Most pop-ups resemble legitimate sections of a site, but most of the time, they're phishing attempts. Most popular browsers have a setting that allows users to block any pop-up. You can select them one at a time if you want to enable them.
Don't click the "cancel" button immediately if any malicious pop-up disappears. Most of the time, such buttons will redirect you to phishing websites. Preferably, click the small "x" to close the window.
6. Never Fill in Personal Information
As common knowledge, never give away any of your personal or financial information to any site online. If you're having second thoughts, you should visit the site's main page, obtain their contact information, and call them.
Many phishing emails will direct you to a page where you will fill in your information; you should make it a general rule to check the addresses of all the sites you visit regularly.
7. Install Antivirus Software
There are many reasons to install antivirus software. The software has unique signatures that shield your device from malicious files. Remember to update the software frequently to avoid becoming a victim.
Final Thoughts: How To Avoid Phishing Scams
Remember, phishing scams are constantly evolving, and some are difficult to spot; even the most vigilant person can get scammed, so you can't be 100% safe.
You'll still be a target, however big or small your organization is. At some point, you will receive these emails. So, your organization must conduct security awareness training so their IT support can stay at the top of the evolution.
At AIS, we want to shield your business from phishing scams. With our guide, organizations can avoid most of the common phishing attacks. To learn more about phishing scams or any inquiries, make sure to contact us today.
