As the number of publicly disclosed and exploited CVEs continues to rise, it is crucial for organizations to implement regular updates, robust patch management, and advanced threat detection systems to mitigate the risks associated with vulnerabilities commonly used for initial access, lateral movement, and malware deployment. Organizations should prioritize addressing vulnerabilities that are actively exploited in the wild (such as those listed in CISA's KEV), those with a high likelihood of exploitation, and those for which weaponized exploit code is readily available.
In addition, users should always be cautious of individuals or organizations that ask for personal information. Most companies will not ask for sensitive data from their customers. If in doubt, users should verify with the company itself to avoid any potential issues. Here are some key tips to stay safe:
- Take a close look at the sender’s display name when checking the legitimacy of an email. Most companies use a single domain for their URLs and emails, so a message that originates from a different domain is a red flag.
- Avoid clicking links or downloading files even if they come from seemingly “trustworthy” sources.
- Check for mismatched URLs. While an embedded URL might seem perfectly valid, hovering above it might show a different web address. Avoid clicking links in emails unless you are certain that it is a legitimate link.
- Be on the lookout for any grammatical errors and spelling mistakes. Legitimate companies will often employ proofreaders and editors who ensure that the materials they send out are error-free.
- Do not be frightened or intimidated by messages that have an alarmist tone. Double check with the company if you are uncertain about the status of your accounts.
- Phishing emails are designed to be sent to a large number of people, so they need to be as impersonal as possible. Check whether the message contains a generic subject and greeting, as this can be a sign of a phishing attempt.
- Use the built-in protection of your email clients to filter messages. One example is setting the email client to block all images unless approved.
- Legitimate companies will never send confirmation emails unless there are specific reasons for doing so. Most companies will avoid sending unsolicited messages unless it’s for company updates, newsletters, or advertising purposes.
- Take the context of an email or message into account. For example, most online accounts do away with viewable member numbers, so be wary if you receive emails containing a “member number” for services that generally don’t use them.
- Take note of unusual information in the text of the message. Any mentions of operating systems and software that are not typically used by consumers can often be indicators of a phishing attempt.
- If it seems suspicious, it probably is. Always err on the side of caution when it comes to sending out personally identifiable information through messages and emails.
To safeguard your accounts, we strongly recommend using unique passwords, enabling two-factor authentication (2FA), and avoiding credential sharing with third-party services. Be especially cautious of messages containing links to account alerts or security notices. Always verify URLs before clicking, and if a password reset is needed, initiate it directly through the official website or app rather than relying on unsolicited links.
- Verify URLs: Always carefully examine the URL in your browser’s address bar before entering any credentials. Scrutinize URLs for inconsistencies or misspellings.
- Use 2-Step verification wisely: it adds an extra layer of security to your accounts, but you still need to pay attention to requests before granting them access.
- Regularly monitor your accounts: Check your advertising accounts for any suspicious activity such as changes in administrator accounts.
- Report Ads: If you encounter a suspicious ad, report it for the benefit of other users.
