Phishing is a kind of cyberattack in which people are tricked into disclosing private information, including credit card details and passwords, by sending phony emails, texts, or other communications.
Because these attacks are made to appear as though they are authentic, it is challenging to identify them and they pose a serious risk to both people and organizations. We’ll examine phishing assaults in more detail in this blog post, along with some best practices for self-defense.

How Phishing Attacks Work

A typical phishing attack starts with an attacker sending a message that looks to be from a reliable source, like an online merchant, bank, or social media site. There’s a chance the message has a link that takes the recipient to a phony website that mimics the real one. When a user visits the website, they are asked to provide sensitive data, which the attacker then gathers.
Malicious attachments in emails or messages can potentially be a kind of phishing attempts. Upon opening the attachment, the user’s device may become infected with malware, which could grant the attacker access to private data or take over the device.

Spear Phishing

A highly focused type of phishing attack is called spear phishing, in which the attacker specifically crafts a message for the victim based on their investigation. Because of this, spear phishing attempts may become even more convincing and challenging to identify.

Protecting Yourself from Phishing Attacks

1. Be suspicious of unexpected messages

If you receive a message that asks for sensitive information, even if it appears to be from a trusted source, be cautious. Legitimate organizations will not ask for sensitive information via email or text.

2. Look for signs of phishing

Phishing messages often contain spelling and grammar mistakes, use urgent or threatening language, or have a sense of urgency.

3. Hover over links

Before clicking on any links in an email, hover your mouse over the link to see where it will take you. If the URL looks suspicious, don’t click on it.

4. Use multi-factor authentication

Multi-factor authentication adds an extra layer of security by requiring a second form of verification, such as a text message or fingerprint, before allowing access to an account.

5. Keep your software up to date

Regularly updating your devices and applications helps protect against known vulnerabilities that attackers can exploit.

6. Use Anti-Phishing Tools

Many web browsers and email providers offer anti-phishing tools that can help detect and block phishing attempts.

7. Educate yourself and others

Stay informed about the latest phishing techniques and scams, and share this information with friends, family, and colleagues.

8. Report Phishing Attempts

If you suspect a message is a phishing attempt, report it to the organization it appears to be from, as well as to your email provider or anti-phishing service.

Contact Us

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Post edited by Zarkica Bakic, Galia IT.