Ever clicked a suspicious link and worried it might give away access to your customer data? Or perhaps you’ve received a spoofed email, seemingly from a client, containing sensitive information?
These, my friend, are phishing scams – and they’re a major threat to your business. Cybercriminals can use stolen customer information to launch further attacks, commit fraud, or damage your reputation. Reports show data breaches cost businesses millions annually.
But fear not! By educating yourself and your employees on how to spot these scams, you can significantly reduce the risk.
In this article we will talk about how to do that. We will explore the tactics of phishers and the red flags to watch out for, discuss the best practices for protecting your business from phishing attacks and explain the importance of having a robust cybersecurity solution in place, like those offered by trusted companies like AVAST.
By taking these steps, you can build a strong defence against phishing scams and safeguard your business’s valuable data and reputation.
What is Phishing?
Phishing scams might sound complex, but they boil down to a sneaky trick. Imagine a cybercriminal casting a digital fishing line – instead of a wriggling worm, they dangle something that looks tempting: a too-good-to-be-true offer, an urgent message from a trusted source, or even something that plays on your fears. Their goal? To snag your personal information, like passwords, credit card details, or even your Social Security number.
These scammers can use all sorts of methods to cast their lines. You might receive a suspicious email that appears to be from your bank, a social media notification urging you to “claim your prize,” or even a text message (SMS) warning of a “security breach” on one of your online accounts.
Here’s where things get tricky: phishers are constantly upping their game. The emails might look convincingly real, with logos and formatting that mimic legitimate companies. Social media posts might come from seemingly hacked accounts of friends or family.
How to Spot a Phishing Scam
Now that you know how phishers cast their lines, let’s set you up with the knowledge you need to know in order to avoid getting caught. Here are some key red flags to watch out for:
- Suspicious Sender
Always check the sender’s email address closely. Does it look legitimate? Is it riddled with typos or come from an unusual domain, for example “@madeupname.com” instead of “@gmail.com”?
- Sense of Urgency
Phishing scams often create a sense of urgency or panic. Watch out for messages demanding immediate action or threatening severe consequences if you don’t respond immediately.
Use AVAST’s packages to detect and filter potential phishing scams
The AVAST Ultimate Business Security and Premium Business Security solution programmes which offer email filtering, using advanced algorithms to identify emails with suspicious sender addresses, protecting you before you even open them.
- Unrealistic Offers & Mismatched Websites
Be wary of emails or messages promising unbelievable deals or freebies. If something seems too good to be true, then it probably is. Likewise, before entering any login credentials, double-check the website address (URL) for typos or unfamiliar domains. You can also lookout for a padlock on the left of the URL address bar to see whether the website is secure. Phishers often create fake websites that mimic legitimate ones to steal your information
Use AVAST’s packages for WebPage scanning
The Premium Business solution packages offer a real-time URL scanning. This feature analyses websites you visit, warning you of suspicious or malicious ones before you enter any sensitive information, and blocks web pages which would be dangerous to enter, as well as URLs that may damage your device.
- Dodgy Attachments & Unfamiliar Links
Never open attachments from unknown senders, and be cautious with unsolicited links, even if they appear to come from a friend or colleague. These attachments could contain malware or the links could lead to phishing websites.
By keeping these red flags in mind, you’ll be well on your way to spotting phishing attempts before they can harm you. Remember, if something feels suspicious, it probably is. When in doubt, it’s always best to err on the side of caution. And of course, AVAST’s advanced security features like email filtering and real-time URL scanning provide an extra layer of protection by automatically checking for these red flags, giving you peace of mind as you navigate the online world.
What to Do If You Encounter a Phishing Scam
Phishing scams can be sophisticated, but by following the steps in this guide, you can easily protect yourself if you find yourself in the thick of it.
- Don’t Respond or Engage
Resist the temptation to reply to a phishing message or click on any links within it. Engaging with the scammer can confirm your email address as active and lead to more attempts.
- Report the Phish
Most email platforms and social media sites have buttons or options to report phishing attempts. Report the message to the platform so they can take action against the scammer.
Depending on the platform, there’s different ways to report phishing, here’s a brief overview:
Many email providers have a “Report Phishing” button which you can access on the toolbar.
- Social Media
Social media platforms typically have reporting options within each message or post.
Be precautionary, change your password
If you’ve fallen victim to a phishing attempt and entered your login credentials, change your passwords immediately for any accounts that might be compromised.
If you’re like most people, you rely on an old password which you’ve had for years, and whenever it comes to updating the password, you add some digits or characters at the end of it with the hopes that you remember.
By following these steps and staying vigilant, you can significantly reduce your risk of falling victim to a phishing scam. Remember, even the most tech-savvy people can be targeted. The key is to be aware of the red flags and take action to protect yourself.
How AVAST helps protects against Phishing
We’ve learned how to identify phishing attempts, and briefly touched on some of AVAST’ Business security solutions that can provide an extra layer of security working behind the scenes, so let’s recap how to maximise your cyber security.
If you’re unfamiliar with AVAST and what they do, they are a recognized leader in cybersecurity, offering robust protection against phishing attacks with a suite of features designed to keep you safe. They offer a number of tools and packages, tailored to your business needs.
Find out more on the AVAST website.
Precautionary packages to help protect you from phishing and other threats:
Avast offers a range of cybersecurity solutions for businesses, including:
- Essential Business Security: This provides core protection against phishing emails and websites, alongside antivirus and other essential security features. It’s a good starting point for smaller businesses.
- Premium Business Security: This builds on Essential by adding features like data breach protection and email server security. It’s ideal for businesses that handle sensitive data or want extra layers of protection.
- Ultimate Business Security: This is the most comprehensive option, offering all the features of Premium plus additional functionalities like sandboxing (a safe testing environment for suspicious files) and remote device access management. This is best suited for businesses with complex security needs or those dealing with highly confidential data
AVAST Business Security Packages:
AVAST Essential Business Security
AVAST Premium Business Security
AVAST Ultimate Business Security
By combining these features, AVAST provides a comprehensive defence system against phishing scams. AVAST‘s proven track record in cybersecurity gives you peace of mind knowing you have a trusted guardian watching your back as you navigate the online world.
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