After a successful Cyber Security Awareness Month, our commitment to raising awareness around online safety persists, with a particular emphasis on phishing.
Phishing remains our primary area on which to educate, due to its pervasive and evolving nature, which poses significant threats to individuals and organisations. The continued emphasis on educating our networks on phishing stems from its status as a relentless and adaptable form of cyber attack that preys, not on technology, but on human error, making it a constant concern for modern organisations of all types and sizes.
Phishing scams are incredibly effective in deceiving individuals into revealing sensitive information. This, coupled with the evolving tactics used by cyber criminals, solidifies the importance of ongoing education and vigilance against this pervasive threat. In this press release, we will provide you with a comprehensive guide on phishing, its types, detection methods and how individuals and businesses can protect themselves from this ever-present danger.
What is phishing and how does it work?
Phishing is a malicious cyber attack in which attackers pose as trusted entities to deceive individuals into revealing sensitive information such as login credentials, personal details or financial data.
Typically, phishing attempts occur through e-mail, text messages or social media. Attackers use various tactics to achieve their goals, including creating convincing messages that mimic legitimate organisations and employing urgent, tempting or threatening language to manipulate victims into taking actions such as clicking on malicious links or divulging confidential information.
Once victims comply with these deceptive tactics, attackers gain access to sensitive information, which they can use for nefarious purposes.
* Need to know more about phishing? Why not take a look at a recent KHIPU article: ‘What is phishing? A quick-fire guide’…
The many faces of phishing
There are several types of phishing attacks, each with its own unique characteristics:
Detecting phishing e-mails
Detecting phishing e-mails can be a challenging task, but there are some telltale signs to watch out for:
What can businesses and individuals do to protect themselves against phishing?
Both organisations and individuals can take several actions to protect themselves from phishing attacks:
Simulated phishing – it’s just the first step in protecting your assets
Historically, one incredibly valuable tool in the fight against the threat of phishing has been the deployment of simulated phishing and awareness training services. These services help organisations identify vulnerabilities and fortify their cyber security posture. They provide insights into how employees engage with simulated threats, thus determining the overall awareness and susceptibility of the workforce to phishing attacks.
To date, KHIPU’s cyber security team have carried out over 500 simulations, sending a total of 1.5 million e-mails and helping customers, across several verticals, track how their employees engage with these simulated threats so they can gain insights into the overall level of awareness and susceptibility of their workforce to phishing attacks. This, followed by regular awareness initiatives, has helped reduce the risks associated with these e-mail-based attacks.
Common weaknesses exposed by simulated phishing
Our many simulated phishing campaigns have revealed several common weaknesses within organisations:
So, you’ve completed a simulated phishing campaign – what’s next?
While simulated phishing campaigns are effective in identifying weaknesses, they merely represent the beginning of the journey. Armed with these findings, organisations can implement measures to enhance their cyber security posture. This can be achieved through best practices in cyber security solutions and services offered by experts in the field.
Phishing remains a persistent threat in our digitally connected world. Recognising the signs, staying informed and investing in security measures are crucial steps for individuals and organisations to safeguard themselves from the ever-evolving tactics of cyber criminals.
Find out more at https://www.khipu-networks.com/.
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