6 Essential Tips to Prevent Email Phishing Attacks at a Company
Cyber security attacks are becoming increasingly common and sophisticated, especially concerning phishing. Phishing is a type of social engineering attack that attempts to gain access to private information by posing as a trustworthy source.
As companies rely more on email for communication and collaboration, phishing attacks have increased in volume and scope. However, companies can take several precautions to reduce the risk of an attack. Here are six essential tips to prevent email phishing attacks at your company:
1. Educate Your Employees
The first step to reducing the risk of phishing is to educate your employees on the dangers of phishing. Not only will this prevent them from falling victim to an attack, but it will allow them to recognize the difference between a genuine and fraudulent email.
2. Keep Your Software Up-To-Date
Updating your software regularly can help to prevent attacks from malicious software. Malicious software is software that has been intentionally designed to perform actions that harm your computer or data. For example, a virus can install itself onto your computer and damage it by taking over the operating system or deleting important files.
3. Don’t Give Your Information to an Unsecured Site
A common way for hackers to get your information is through a “phishing” attack. This is when someone takes a legitimate-looking email or website and tries to get you to give them your information. For example, an email might look like it was from the bank or another financial institution, but it will ask you for personally identifiable information such as your Social Security Number, bank account number, and password.
If you get an email asking for this information, do not follow any links in the message. Instead, go directly to the company’s website and verify that they are legitimate before giving them any personal identifying information.
4. Don’t Use the Same Password for All Your Accounts
This is a common mistake that many people make. If you use the same password for all your accounts, if one of your accounts is compromised, it can give malicious software access to all your other accounts. It would be best if you had different passwords for your emails, online banking accounts, online shopping accounts, Facebook, etc.
If you have successfully avoided falling victim to a phishing attack, change your passwords regularly. This is another way of staying safe from hackers and malware.
5. Install Firewalls
The first step to prevent phishing attacks is to install a firewall. This can be as simple as a software-based solution or as complex as a hardware-based solution. The best way to prevent phishing attacks is to have a firewall on every computer and device users use, such as their personal computers, smartphones, and tablets.
6. Always Double-Check Emails
The best way to prevent phishing attacks is to double-check the sender’s email address. A phishing email can look very similar to a legitimate email from a company, but it will most likely have an email address that looks suspicious or can be easily spoofed. If you receive an email from an unknown sender, double-check the sender’s email address before opening it.