Internet users have access to a wealth of information and connections. The problem, however, is that using a computer or device to access the web exposes you to many cyber security risks – most of them posed by bad actors on the web, who want to steal your identity, take your money, or gain control of other people’s personal accounts and profiles in order to gain power. Phishing attacks are the most common cyberattacks that people face when using the web. According to a recent study, 57% of small businesses have been victimized by phishing.
Here is how you can protect yourself from phishing attacks if you do not know what phishing is or how to identify it.
What is phishing?
Phishing is an important concept to understand if you want to avoid phishing attacks while surfing the internet. In phishing, a malicious actor on the web tricks a person into divulging their login information or credentials. In accordance with the National Institute of Standards and Technology,
“Phishing attacks are intended to trick you into providing information or taking actions that grant the attackers access to your accounts. computer, or other devices.or even your network by tricking you. These kinds of attacks are named after fishing. You are lured in using bait to fool yourself into making a mistake.”
A cybercriminal can access private accounts and all the information within them once a person voluntarily gives them their login information. When login information and passwords are handed over to multiple accounts, cybercriminals can gain access to several accounts. They can hack bank accounts, email inboxes, home networks, as well as IRS accounts, and social media platforms (and more).
How to recognize a phishing attack
Having a clear understanding of phishing is important, but it doesn’t stop you from falling prey to phishing scams. It is important to recognize what a phishing attack looks like, since cybercriminals are able to disguise phishing attacks in many different ways in order to trick people into providing them with confidential information.
Some of the most typical phishing attacks types include:
Email phishing: An email that appears to be from a legitimate website you regularly visit. The email will ask you to log in by clicking a link. The link is not legitimate. The sender’s email address usually has the company name in it, but the email will not come from the company’s account.
To ensure an email address is not a replica of a real one, it must be clearly fake.
Text phishing: When you get a text message asking you to click a link and log in to your account with a specific platform, website, or company, it is called call smashing, or text phishing. If there is an issue that requires you to login, never click a link in a text, and always check directly with the platform to avoid being hacked.
Phone phishing: When a person calls expressing a security concern or requesting personal information, never give it out. No company will ask you for credentials over the phone. To make sure everything is fine with your account, you can contact the company through their official phone number.
Social Media phishing: Using a fake social media account that appears to be from a legitimate company, they send you a direct message to ask for your personal information. There may be a contest you won or a security issue with your account that can only be resolved by logging in. The company will never contact you directly on social media and ask for your personal information, so do not respond to such messages.
Ways to report phishing attacks
One of the most crucial actions to take after experiencing a phishing attack is to report it. When it comes to knowing who to contact to report a phishing attack, it’s not always clear-cut or simple to do so. However, by alerting the platform to the attack, you can often help restore the security of your account and warn other users about the possibility of being phished. These are a few different methods for reporting phishing attacks.
- In the United States, report phishing to the Anti-Phishing Working Group. The FTC can also receive reports of phishing.
- Report phishing to the European Anti-Fraud Office (EAFO) in Europe.
- If you are in Mexico or Brazil, you can report phishing attacks to econsumer.gov.
Defending yourself against phishing scams
Of course, it’s nice to be able to report phishing attacks and get some assistance regaining control over your digital security. However, there are a few things you can do to prevent becoming a victim of phishing attacks. Phishing is always avoidable if you follow these precautions.
Learn how to identify phishing scams: Make sure you are familiar with the different types of phishing attacks. When you receive them, immediately delete them.
Report phishing attacks: When you have avoided a phishing attack, report it. As a result, companies will be able to step up security and ensure that customer accounts are kept secure.
Use anti-virus and anti-phishing software: There are anti-phishing components built into the software of most digital security companies. It is possible to filter out phishing messages as spam so they are not even visible. Ensure your computer is protected with an antivirus software program that will remove a virus that has infected your device and can repair any damage done by a virus.
Related products:
eScan Total Security Suite for Business (v22)
eScan Internet Security Suite for Business (v22)
