Cybercriminals most frequently use phishing as a method of attack. This communication is a hoax designed to trick the recipient into disclosing private information, sending money, or clicking on a dangerous link. Usually, it is transmitted by email, social media direct messages, or some other text-based method.
There are many different kinds of phishing, but for big firms, whaling or imitation phishing is the most dangerous. In this kind of attack, the cybercriminal poses as a senior executive to target the employees of the target company. In order to mislead the recipient, deceptively similar email addresses, display names, and messages are used. Since an email from top management or a professional acquaintance is typically taken to be authentic and doesn't arouse suspicion, it is a particularly effective strategy.
To mitigate risks, watch out for these tell-tale signs to identify a phishing email.
Unexpected or unsolicited correspondence
When an email arrives unexpectedly, that's your first clue that it might be a fraud. Do you recall any offline or in-person discussions about the aforementioned subject? A warning sign that an email may be a phoney message is when you unexpectedly receive one from a top leader, client, or vendor without any prior context.
Scan the display name and email address
Always check the display name and email address of the sender. On closer inspection, you might discover that a "O" has been changed to a "0" or a I has been changed to a "!". It might initially appear to be genuine. Also, you need to regularly check the domains of the emails you get.
Internal communications will almost never come through a free email provider and will almost always come from the company's official domain. The same is true of external communication from other enterprises and companies. When you hover over a domain, the fraudulent one will often appear to be real or similar to the company's email address.
Prompting urgency
In most cases, phishing emails sound urgent. They want the victim to act without considering or confirming the legitimacy of the email's sender or contents. So, you should be wary of senior executives who unexpectedly request money transfers or information disclosures over email. Always confirm such requests using alternative methods. Call the sender directly, for instance, to confirm the communication.
Unusual query
Take into account the requests made in the email. There are some common calls to action in phishing emails. They request that you send them private or delicate business information that shouldn't ideally be communicated through email in an unforeseen or initial discussion. It can also request that you click a link to submit this data. You can be led to assume that a senior executive has sent you a paper pertinent to your job by including it in an email. It might even request that you transfer money, either your own or, if you have the power, the company's.
Prevention tips
The first thing to do if you think you've received a phishing email is to say nothing.
That is, never reply to emails, click on any links, or download any attachments. Next, if you have any doubts about the communication's legitimacy, you should always get in touch with the sender directly through a different method, such as by phone, text, or in person.
Additionally, keep an eye on the emails that arrive in your mailbox. Even if they are from within the company, use extra caution when dealing with emails or senders you weren't anticipating.
