How do you report ransomware and phishing scams?

To report ransomware and phishing scams, immediately contact your organization's IT security team or helpdesk. They will guide you on the appropriate reporting channels and actions to take. Additionally, forward suspicious emails or messages to the designated email address for phishing reports, often provided by your IT department. Prompt reporting is crucial to mitigate potential threats and protect both personal and organizational data.

Identify, Report, Protect! ???? I'd begin by understanding ransomware as malicious software that encrypts files, demanding payment for access, and phishing as deceptive emails or messages aimed at stealing personal information. To recognize these scams, look for unusual sender addresses, suspicious attachments, and urgent or threatening language. Report ransomware and phishing by forwarding the emails to IT security teams or official reporting channels like the Anti-Phishing Working Group (APWG) or Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).

Ransomware attacks can be devastating, with global damages expected to hit $30 billion by 2025 (Cybersecurity Ventures). Preventing infection begins with vigilance—don’t open suspicious email attachments or click on unknown links. If you fall victim, report the attack to your local cybersecurity agency and avoid paying the ransom, as it encourages further attacks. A timely backup system is critical for recovery without paying. Have you ever encountered ransomware or phishing scams? How did you handle the situation, and what steps did you take to strengthen your security?

In recent years, there have been evolutionary trajectories of ransomware manifesting in diverse strains, each exhibiting unique functionalities such as network propagation and evasion tactics. The most notable ransomware strains that be used include - WannaCry - Petya/NotPetya - Ryuk - REvil (Sodinokibi)

Reporting ransomware and phishing scams is crucial to prevent further cyber threats. Start by notifying the appropriate authorities such as the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), your local law enforcement agency, or the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). Report phishing scams to the Anti-Phishing Working Group (APWG) or the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Inform your company's IT department or cybersecurity team immediately. Preserve any evidence like suspicious emails or messages without clicking on any links or attachments. If your personal information is compromised, contact credit bureaus and financial institutions to secure your accounts.

Phishing remains a top cybersecurity threat, with 91% of cyberattacks starting with a phishing email (Verizon DBIR). Attackers often pose as trusted entities, using fear or urgency to trick users into divulging sensitive information. To mitigate this, it's crucial to train employees to recognize phishing red flags—unexpected links, poor grammar, or unrecognized senders. Reporting these incidents quickly can prevent wider breaches. What steps does your organization take to empower employees in identifying phishing attempts?

95% of cybersecurity incidents occur due to human error - World Economic Forum. To make sure you are not phished you need to look at solutions using Gen AI Cyber security awareness tools like HumanFirewall AI, help to produce this motivation at scale. How? The more sophisticated the phishing attacks, that "needle phish" them in simulations, the more they see how clever hackers can be too. This is a massive factor in human psychology. I have seen these attacks in real time pass through your Gen-1 and Gen-2 SMTP-based solutions.

Today's current landscape of phishing encompasses a diverse array of variants, including spear phishing, vishing (voice phishing), and smishing (SMS phishing), each tailored to exploit specific communication channels. Technical countermeasures against phishing involve email filtering, web page analysis, and the implementation of multi-factor authentication. Additionally, user should be prompted to educate themselves on critical lines of defense by discerning and reporting phishing attempts.

Eradicating the risk of phishing completely is an utopian belief. People will make mistakes, and it is part of your risk appetite strategy. However, educating people about their emotional states and moods and how they impact their relationship with email handling - can significantly reduce the risk for falling prey to phishing emails.

Phishing is a form of social engineering. In a typical phishing attempt, a hacker poses as someone the victim trusts, such as a coworker, boss, authority figure, or representative of a well-known brand. The hacker sends a message that asks the victim to pay a bill, open an attachment, click a link, or perform some other action. Because they trust the supposed source of the message, the user follows the instructions and falls right into the scammer's trap. This "bill" could lead directly to a hacker's account. This attachment may install ransomware on the user's device. This link could take the user to a website that steals credit card numbers, bank account numbers, login credentials, or other personal information.

Recognizing ransomware and phishing scams is crucial in today’s digital landscape. According to the Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), signs like unexpected payment requests, urgency, and unfamiliar email addresses can indicate malicious activity. Ransomware often presents itself with ominous messages and requests for cryptocurrency, while phishing emails may contain poor grammar and implore you to share sensitive information. Always verify sources and be cautious with links. How do you educate your teams to enhance awareness and detection of these threats? Empowering employees can create a robust first line of defense.

So if you receive an email that has at least one of the following characteristics, you should be suspicious. Because then it is very likely a phishing email: ?? The text of the email states that urgent action is required, for example: "If you do not update your data immediately, it will be irretrievably lost...". ?? Threats are used: "If you do not do this, we will unfortunately have to block your account...". ?? You are asked to enter confidential data such as the PIN for your online banking access or a credit card number. ?? The email contains links or forms. ?? The email appears to come from a known person or organization, but the sender's request seems unusual to you.

Warnzeichen für Ransomware 1.Pl?tzliche ?nderungen von Dateinamen oder -erweiterungen k?nnen auf eine Ransomware-Infektion hindeuten. 2. Wenn Sie eine Meldung erhalten, die L?segeld für die Entschlüsselung Ihrer Daten verlangt. 3. Ein pl?tzlicher Anstieg ungew?hnlicher Aktivit?ten, insbesondere in Verbindung mit Dateiübertragungen, k?nnte auf eine Ransomware-Infektion hinweisen. Warnzeichen für Phishing 1. Seien Sie misstrauisch gegenüber E-Mails von unbekannten Absendern oder mit leicht abge?nderten Adressen. 2. Warnungen vor angeblichen Sicherheitsproblemen, die sofortige Ma?nahmen erfordern, sollten als potenziell betrügerisch betrachtet werden. 3.Enthalten oft Links zu gef?lschten Websites mit leicht abweichenden URLs.

What is also important to mention is to always put yourself in a clear mindset when evaluating. If you are feeling stressed, in a hurry or dealing with other tasks/responsibilities - you are unlikely to apply critical thinking skills in that moment. The mental energy required to completely focus and notice red flag is low, and spread thin. However, if you take a few deep breathes, focus on your check list and reflecting - than you are better positioned to notice anomalies because your mindset is sharp and focused. If not possible, wait until your mind is cleared.

Reporting ransomware and phishing scams swiftly can mitigate widespread damage. Disconnecting your device is step one, but notifying authorities like the FBI's IC3 is just as vital. According to a 2023 FBI report, phishing is the most prevalent cybercrime, with over 300,000 reported cases. Quick action not only protects your data but helps prevent further attacks on others. Have you established a clear reporting process in your organization to respond to phishing or ransomware attempts effectively? Building a rapid response strategy is crucial in today’s threat landscape.

From a leadership and cultural perspective, it is essential to create a psychological safe space for people to come forward. One of the reasons people fear admitting their mistakes is the emotional embarrassment they feel. So imagine they come forward, and whoever is on the receiving end intensifies their emotional embarrassment, it sends a message internally that it is best to keep quiet and swipe it under the rug.

Respect voluntary suspicious disclosures and promote a trust culture by responding to and recognizing your impactful users when they do so. Build your reporting metrics around this cultural strength.