Cybersecurity Awareness Month: Phishing Attacks Your Business Could Face
As cybercriminals get more sophisticated, the risk to businesses grows. Is your company doing enough to strengthen its defenses and educate your team?
Beyond promoting safe online habits, it's crucial to recognize the common types of cyberattacks that could target your business. Knowing these can help your team stay one step ahead.
The 6 Most Common Phishing Attacks
Phishing scams are on the rise, and with more than 90% of data breaches stemming from phishing attempts, they remain a major threat. The basic tactic is simple: a cybercriminal tricks the victim into providing sensitive information or clicking on a malicious link. Once that link is clicked or an attachment is downloaded, malware is often installed, leading to potentially devastating consequences.
Here are six phishing tactics your business needs to watch out for:
- Spoofing: Attackers pose as a trusted source to gain access to sensitive information, like passwords or financial details.
- Spear Phishing: This tactic targets specific individuals or departments within an organization, usually someone with access to high-value information.
- Whaling: Also known as CEO fraud. This scam tricks employees into performing actions like transferring money or purchasing gift cards by impersonating an executive.
- Vishing: Phishing by phone—cybercriminals use deceptive calls to trick people into giving away personal or confidential information.
- Smishing: Similar to vishing but using SMS. The victim receives a text designed to entice them to click a malicious link.
Malvertising: Malicious code is hidden in online ads, which can redirect users to harmful websites.
How to Protect Your Business from Phishing
To avoid becoming a victim of phishing, stay alert for suspicious signs. Avoid sharing sensitive information over the phone and be cautious with unfamiliar requests. Look out for generic greetings or unusual URLs in emails—those can be red flags. If something seems off, it's better not to click.
How We Can Help
Data breaches can be catastrophic, compromising sensitive personal and client information. As Cybersecurity Awareness Month 2024 unfolds, now is the perfect time to strengthen your defenses. Educating your staff about these threats is the first step to safeguarding your business.
For more tips and resources on cybersecurity awareness, check out our blog section!
Need help? Our team at Sentry specializes in innovative cybersecurity solutions and training. We can help your business prepare for the unexpected and stay secure in a world of ever-evolving threats. Just fill out the form below.
