Protecting Against Phishing Attacks: What Every Employee Needs to Know

I recently got a very convincing email from the CEO of my company urging me to send him a text message underscoring the time sensitivity of the matter. Not only they got the name of the boss correct, but had the profile picture as well. My suspicions rose at the fact that under no circumstances CEO would be reaching out to me directly and asking me to contact him via a text message. Yes! It was a targeted phishing attach otherwise known as spear-phishing.

It therefore made the gears in my head turning, thinking how could unsuspecting employees protect themselves from a potential dangerous situation. Cybercriminals are constantly developing new tactics to trick individuals and businesses into giving up valuable information. These attacks often come through emails, text messages, or phone calls, and can be disguised as something as innocent as an email from a coworker or a message from your bank.

For employees with little to no cybersecurity training, it’s important to understand that phishing attacks are not just an IT issue—they are a risk to everyone in the company. By staying alert and following a few simple guidelines, you can play a key role in keeping the organization secure.

While there are new ways, the two most common attacks are conducted through emails and text messages.

Email Phishing: The attacker sends an email pretending to be a legitimate contact, often asking you to click on a link or open an attachment. Once you do, your device could become infected with malware or your login credentials could be stolen.

Text Message Phishing (Smishing): The attacker sends a fake text message, often claiming to be from a delivery service, your bank, or a well-known brand. These messages contain links to fake websites designed to steal your information.

Why does phishing matter and how to spot them?

Phishing attacks can lead to significant damage for both individuals and companies. For businesses, the consequences can include data breaches, financial losses and reputation damage.

While phishing scams are often cleverly disguised, there are some common red flags you can look out for:

Poor grammar and spelling still remains they major give away for attacks, this is due to the fact that most attackers use translators to construct the messages. With Gen-AI tools I suspect a decrease in grammatical errors, but the message will feel not quite right.

Check for slight misspellings, unusual domains in the sender's email address and suspicious links - always check the actual URL address before clicking it.

Phishing emails often use generic salutations like "Dear Customer" instead of personal names.

A lot of the times they will try to create a sense of urgency, pressuring you to act quickly.

Be wary of emails asking for sensitive information, such as passwords or financial details.

Avoid opening attachments from unfamiliar senders, as they may contain malware.

How to Protect Yourself and the Company

1. Think before you click: Always pause and think before clicking on links or downloading attachments. If something feels off, don’t engage with the message.

2. Verify the source: If you receive a suspicious email or text, contact the person or organization directly through known and trusted channels. Don’t reply to the suspicious message or use any contact information it provides.

3. Keep your software up to date: Regularly updating your device’s operating system and applications ensures you’re protected against the latest security vulnerabilities. Many phishing attempts rely on exploiting outdated software.

4. Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA): Even if a phishing scammer manages to steal your password, they won’t be able to access your account if you have multi-factor authentication enabled. MFA adds an extra layer of security, requiring a second form of verification (such as a code sent to your phone) in addition to your password.

5. Report suspicious messages: If you receive a suspicious email or text message, report it to your IT or security team immediately. This helps prevent the scam from spreading to others in the company.

6. Use strong passwords: Use unique, strong passwords for each of your accounts. Avoid using easily guessable information like your name or birthdate, and consider using a password manager to keep track of your credentials.

What to Do If You Fall for a Phishing Scam

Even with the best precautions, it’s still possible to fall for a phishing attack. If this happens, it’s important to act quickly to minimize the damage:

1. Change your passwords immediately: If you provided your login credentials to a scammer, change your passwords as soon as possible. Make sure to update passwords for any other accounts that use the same credentials.

2. Notify your IT or security team: Let your company’s IT or security team know what happened right away so they can take steps to protect your account and the company’s data.

3. Monitor your accounts: Keep an eye on your email, bank, and other accounts for any suspicious activity, such as unauthorized logins or transactions.

Conclusion

Phishing attacks are a serious threat to any organization, but with the right knowledge, you can protect yourself and your company. By staying alert, thinking before you click, and following the tips outlined here, you can help stop phishing attacks in their tracks. Remember, cybersecurity is everyone’s responsibility—working together, we can create a safer, more secure work environment.

If you ever feel uncertain about a message or link, don’t hesitate to ask your IT or security team for guidance. It’s always better to be safe than sorry!