Phishing emails are one of the most common, and most dangerous forms a cyber-attack can take. With just one click, your data and accounts can be compromised.
The cost? Anything from hours of downtime to millions of pounds, depending on how soon you notice. Detecting a phishing attack may seem simple enough, but the methods employed by the scammers are constantly evolving and spotting one isn't always easy.
So how can you protect your data from these threats? And what happens if you open a phishing email?
Find out the answers below...
What is Phishing?
Phishing is a type of social engineering attack where threat actors send fraudulent emails, text messages (smishing), or phone calls (vishing) impersonating a trusted entity. They may pretend to be a supervisor, government agency, bank, or third-party supplier.
Typically, the objective is one of the following:
Stealing Login Credentials: Directing users to fake login pages that capture usernames and passwords – or better yet, obtaining this information straight from the source.
Installing Malware: Attaching malicious files or links that, when interacted with, infect the user’s device.
They will then use these credentials or malware to launch further attacks.
How to Spot Phishing?
If possible, it is always better to avoid a phishing attack in the first place, the best email protection solutions can protect you from these malicious emails. But what can you look out for if you don't have email protection? There are some common tactics that email scams always rely on:
1. Spoofed Email Addresses
To appear as convincing as possible, threat actors create email addresses that closely resemble those of trusted senders. Any differences can be difficult to spot, so always check the senders email address, never trust the display name alone.
2. Urgency and Fear Tactics
The last thing a scammer wants is for their victim to think the situation through. For that reason, they almost always attempt to induce powerful emotions such as fear, and a sense of urgency. They may use messaging such as “Your account has been suspended” or “Immediate action required” to make users act on impulse.
3. Fake Login Pages
A common strategy involves directing victims to a fake website that looks identical to a legitimate login page. When users enter their credentials, this information is sent directly to the scammers.
4. Malicious Attachments
Phishing emails often contain attachments disguised as invoices, receipts, or security updates. These files may contain malware that steals data, monitors keystrokes, or locks files.
There are a few ways to detect and prevent these attacks early:
Always independently verify information, instead of blindly trusting an email.
Check URLs and email addresses carefully.
Do not click links or open attachments that you don’t recognize, or aren't expecting – even if they appear to be coming from a legitimate entity.
Never act while in a state of heightened emotion, and be wary of emails that use frightening or emotive language.
I Opened a Phishing Email, What Should I Do?
In most cases, simply opening a phishing email will not harm your device, data, or business. The danger comes if you interact with its contents in some way, whether you drafted a response or clicked on a link. If you have fallen for a scam, you may notice some troubling signs:
Devices may begin to show evidence of malware or viruses, such as running slower, crashing, or carrying out certain actions autonomously.
Your accounts might alert you to strange activity.
Important files could suddenly vanish or be encrypted.
If you notice any of these signs, it is essential to stay calm and act swiftly.
If you open an email and then realize it is a phishing scam, follow these steps:
Do not interact with any links, attachments, or requests for information.
Close the email and mark it as spam.
Scan your device for malware and viruses.
If you believe you may have entered credentials on a phishing site, change any compromised passwords immediately and enable multifactor authentication (MFA).
Inform your IT or security team of the potential threat, as well as any other staff who may have received it.
Worried that your cloud services might be compromised? Speak to an expert
If you have already clicked on a phishing link or downloaded an attachment, you must act quickly:
Disconnect from the internet and any company networks. This will help prevent any malware from spreading to new devices.
Do not enter any sensitive information. If you have been taken to a form or login page, avoid submitting any details.
Scan the device for potential threats.
Clear your browser cache and cookies. Some threat actors will attempt to steal these for their own use.
Monitor all accounts for suspicious activity.
What Can I Do To Avoid Falling for Scams?
Some simple strategies can help reduce the likelihood of a successful phishing scam, protecting your business in the future:
Security Awareness Training: Teach employees how to handle phishing emails, and what signs to look for. Awareness is your best defence against social engineering attacks of all kinds.
Use the Principle of Least Privilege: Adjust account permissions. Employees should only be able to access the bare minimum necessary for their roles.
Implement Email Security: Highly effective and ever-evolving email security solutions can stop threats reaching users.
Improve Security Measures: Implement cybersecurity best practices to protect your business from all threats.
Implement MFA: Nearly all service providers allow users to setup MFA, it's highly effective at preventing account takeovers.
Keep Your Business Safe with Advanced Security Solutions
We offer market leading layered security solutions, speak to us today to find out how these can help keep your business safe.