Cybersecurity remains a persistent battle between organisations and cybercriminals. Attackers rapidly adapt to existing security measures.
Identifying phishing emails is critical in safeguarding your business. Microsoft reports blocking nearly 15 billion suspicious emails daily. Understanding phishing impact, types, identification, and safeguarding methods is crucial.
The impact of phishing attacks
A large number of phishing attacks are motivated by financial gain, but this isn’t always the case. Obtaining unauthorised access to an organisation’s systems can serve a variety of malicious purposes, such as acquiring sensitive information for espionage or disrupting operations with malware for revenge or activism.
A phishing attack can cause a host of problems for organisations, including data breaches, reputational damage, operational disruption and even regulatory penalties. Reducing risk starts with understanding the various types of phishing attacks your organisation might encounter and the different tactics used.
Types and tactics
Among the main types of email phishing attacks, organisations might encounter are spear phishing, whaling, clone phishing, and email bombing. Each has unique methods designed to deceive targets.
Spear phishing involves attackers tailoring emails to specific individuals, as opposed to traditional phishing, which aims to deceive many. Whaling targets senior executives with significant influence, while clone phishing involves replicating legitimate emails with malicious content. Email bombing floods an inbox with spam to distract the victim from important emails.
Business email compromise (BEC) targets businesses dealing with wire transfers, and man-in-the-middle (MITM) attacks secretly intercept communication threads. Understanding these types is vital to defending against them.
Key signs of a phishing email
There are several tell-tale signs of a phishing email. The sender information, subject lines, content, and attachments can all be revealing.
Check the name and email address for inaccuracies or alterations. Ensure the email content matches the subject line and watch for misspellings, poor grammar, unusual language, or urgent requests. Trust your instincts—if something feels wrong, proceed with caution.
Suspicious file extensions such as .exe, .scr, .zip, .docm, and .js can be indicators of malicious intent. Always report suspected phishing attempts to your organisation’s IT or security team.
Safeguarding against attacks
Phishing is a form of social engineering exploiting trust, curiosity, and fear. Even a careful employee can be tripped up by an email appearing to come from a trusted source. Awareness training is the first line of defence.
In addition to awareness training, strong technical defences and well-prepared cybersecurity policies are crucial. A multi-faceted approach is the best way to safeguard against phishing threats and reduce the risk of data breaches.
Awareness training
Staff training should cover password security, email filtering, and how to report suspected phishing emails. Use real examples of targeted phishing attacks to ensure employees understand the signs of foul play.
Training should be conducted regularly, providing employees with the latest updates on methods, practical tips, and best practices. Do not consider the job ‘done’ after a single session.
Well-prepared cybersecurity policies
Cybersecurity policies should outline employee responsibilities and the steps to take when receiving a suspected phishing email. These policies must cover all aspects of cybersecurity, including password management, use of company devices, personal devices for work, and handling sensitive data.
Policies should be regularly reviewed and updated to reflect organisational changes and current threats. Maintaining up-to-date policies is crucial for effective cybersecurity.
Strong technical defences
Regularly update your systems and protect them against known threats using anti-phishing and URL defence software. Essential technical defences include DMARC, SPF, and DKIM, which help prevent email spoofing and ensure email authenticity.
Additionally, consider limiting user privileges, implementing multi-factor authentication, and using phishing filters for links and attachments. Employing a Protective Domain Name Service (PDNS), application allow lists, remote browser isolation, and Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) can further bolster your defences.
Other technical considerations
A comprehensive cybersecurity strategy includes multiple preventative measures. It should integrate strong technical security, staff training, and robust policies.
Having a well-planned response protocol ensures swift action and minimal impact if incidents occur. Do not solely rely on one aspect; the most effective strategy combines all elements.
Don’t Panic
Maintaining a level head is crucial in the event of a phishing attack. If appropriate measures are in place, there is no reason to panic.
There are useful, free cybersecurity resources available. The UK’s National Cyber Security Centre offers a free service to check for vulnerabilities. Similarly, the European Union Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA) and Canada’s Communications Security Establishment (CSE) provide various resources and services to enhance cybersecurity awareness.
Protecting your business from phishing attacks involves understanding various phishing tactics and staying vigilant.
A multi-faceted approach, combining awareness training, strong technical defences, and thorough cybersecurity policies, is essential.
Utilising available resources and maintaining a calm response are key in mitigating phishing threats.
