Phishing is one of the simplest forms of cyberattack for criminals to carry out, as well as one of the easiest for victims to fall for.
In laymen’s
terms, phishing is a type of scam in which you are duped into disclosing
sensitive information such as passwords and credit card numbers.
However, as more criminals use online scams to steal your personal information, it is necessary to prevent phishing.
These attacks
targeted a wide range of businesses, including financial institutions, online
and email service providers, and cloud hosting providers.
As a result, it
is crucial that all businesses understand what exactly phishing is and how to
protect themselves from it.
In this article,
we will cover a brief overview of phishing and how you can protect yourself and
your business from it.
What is Phishing?
It is a type of
an online scam in which people are tricked into disclosing confidential
information such as usernames, bank account details, passwords, and even credit
or debit card information.
Typically,
victims receive a malicious email or a text message impersonating a person or
organization they trust. When they open the email or text, they will see a
message instructing them to go to a website and take immediate action or face
serious consequences.
Furthermore, the
consequences of phishing can be far more serious than you realize, including
the following:
- An individual or company’s reputation is immediately jeopardized.
- Intellectual property infringement
- Customers defection
- Decrease in the company’s value and so on…
This shows that
phishing is a significant issue in cyberattacks that must be addressed.
However, it is the responsibility of each individual or company to protect
themselves from such malicious activity by taking the necessary precautions
listed below.
How can you safeguard yourself against it?
- Never click on any suspicious links:
Most of us are
interested in hearing about lottery wins, free software or other digital
products, charitable donations, and so on. These emails usually come from
completely random and unknown sources. As a result, pay special attention to
any such email that contains unrealistic rewards or threats, as well as unusual
language.
- Keep your system updated:
Windows operating
system products are frequently the targets of phishing and other malicious
attacks, so make sure you are safe and up to date.
- Use of open and public networks should be avoided:
Data sent over
public networks is frequently not encrypted, allowing attackers to sniff out
sensitive information such as usernames, passwords, purchasing transactions,
and browsing activities. Use as few public Wi-Fi networks as possible as a
result.
- Check website security:
You should always
check if a website is safe and secure before providing any information on it.
The best way to do this is to examine the URL. If it starts with “https”
instead of “http,” it means the site has been secured with an SSL Certificate.
- Utilize two-step authentication:
It is a popular
method for adding security to your online accounts. When logging into an
account, the most common form of two-step authentication is entering your
password and receiving a code via text message on your phone that you must
enter. Attackers will find it more difficult to gain access to your account
using this method.
- Set up reliable anti-virus software:
Anti-virus
software is unquestionably the first line of defense in detecting threats to
your computer and preventing unauthorized users from gaining access. It is also
critical to ensure that your software is regularly updated so that hackers are
unable to gain access to your network.
Conclusion:
Although phishing
is a major concern for every individual or business, however, it can be avoided
by following the measure outlined above. Moreover, it is necessary to train
your employees about phishing and the precautions they should take to avoid it.
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