Gone Phishing?
The term ‘phishing’ is not uncommon in today’s technologically-advanced world. You may have come across a phishing article at one point, or you may know someone who had a firsthand account with phishing. Either way, phishing scams are real, and they continue to victimise millions of businesses and individuals across the world.
Emails and social media sites are typically the platforms hackers use to execute phishing attacks, and a number of high profile cases have seen major organisations breached. It’s important your staff are aware they are the first line of defence before they respond to emails or click those links on Facebook or Twitter. To stay safe, ensure they remember the following tips to ensure the safety of your organisation.
Identify Potential Phishing Emails
In most phishing cases, phishing artists mimic their target company’s logos and use an actual employee’s credentials to make their emails look credible. Be wary of emails coming from your bank/company, and always keep in mind that phishing hackers use them to manipulate you into giving your personal information. Another thing to remember is that if you come across an email asking for your credit card information with a sense of urgency in it, abort. It’s a scam.
Don’t Respond to Emails Demanding Personal and Financial Information
Legitimate companies never ask you for your passwords and sensitive personal information through email. Even if you’re convinced that the email is genuine, it’s always better to be safe than sorry – most especially in financial matters. Contact your bank/company for verification before taking any action.
Be Cautious in Opening Links
Hyperlinks attached in your emails or any suspicious looking links plastered in your social media dashboards might contain a malicious software which records your online activities and personal information, so beware of hyperlinks and only open those links that come from a trusted source. In addition, never trust those links that take you straight to your bank’s website. Your safest bet is to type the website address yourself, or if you have the website bookmarked, it’s best to go about it that way.
Keep Your Computer Protected
This goes without saying. Your staff should keep their computers secure at all times. If your organisation doesn’t have sufficient anti-virus/firewall protection, hackers can easily get through.
