??PSA??ALERT Cyber Security Check-up ?? Recognizing & Avoiding Attacks & What the Heck is Phishing ??

?So many hacks affecting so many of business owners recently! It’s heartbreaking…the aftermath such an attack goes beyond the immediate financial loss. The reputational damage, operational disruptions, and potential legal consequences can be long-lasting if not permanent.

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TL;DR– Safeguard your email, social media and bank passwords like virginity on prom night. Don’t open attachments unless verified. Understand that no one is 100% safe, especially from Social Engineering tactics, everyone is being targeted to some degree.

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Understanding Phishing ??

Cute word but a very deceptive practice where cyber attackers pose as legitimate entities to trick you into sharing sensitive information, clicking on malicious links, or downloading harmful attachments. Telltale signs of these attempts:

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Suspicious Sender Email Address:

Always scrutinize the sender's email address, not just the display name. Even a small discrepancy or unfamiliar domain can be a hint.

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Generic or Impersonal Greetings:

Authentic emails typically address you by name. Be cautious with emails that use generic salutations like "Dear User" or "Dear Member."

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Urgency & Threats:

Fraudsters often induce a sense of urgency or threat. Messages pressing for immediate action or warning of severe consequences can be indicative of phishing.

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Dubious Links & Attachments:

Always hover over email links to preview their destinations before clicking. And approach unexpected attachments, especially from unfamiliar senders, with caution.

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Spelling and Grammar:

Watch out for emails with significant typos, poor grammar, or odd phrasing. Genuine organizations usually ensure their messages are well-crafted.

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Unusual Requests:

Never share sensitive information, like passwords or financial details, in response to an email. Always validate any unusual or unexpected requests through an alternate communication method.

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???What can we do to increase security?

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Educate & Train: Make cybersecurity awareness a priority. Attend or promote periodic trainings.

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Two-Factor Authentication: An added layer of security that can prevent unauthorized access.

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Use Email Filters: Modern email platforms offer filters that help detect and quarantine potential phishing emails.

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Verify Suspicious Emails: If in doubt about an email's authenticity, contact the sender directly through a known and trusted method.

Stay Vigilant. My friend Ellie Solomon at Network Security Associates https://www.nsa-nv.com/ is a great source of intel on cyber security and how to implement protective strategies.

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If you want to know more about the Social Engineering tactics and also want to be a hit at parties, read on…

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Social engineering refers to the art of manipulating people into divulging confidential information or taking specific actions, typically for malicious purposes. It exploits human psychology rather than technical hacking techniques to gain access to systems or data.

Here are some common types of social engineering:

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Phishing: This is probably the most well-known type of social engineering attack. In phishing, attackers send fraudulent emails pretending to be from a trusted entity to induce recipients into providing sensitive data, such as usernames and passwords, or clicking on malicious links.

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Spear Phishing: A more targeted form of phishing where the email is specifically crafted for a single individual or organization, often using information that makes the email seem more legitimate.

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Vishing (Voice Phishing): Attackers use the telephone to deceive their victims. For instance, they might pose as bank officials and ask for credit card details.

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Pretexting: Here, attackers create a fabricated scenario (or pretext) to obtain information from a victim. For instance, they might pretend to be from the IT department and claim they need certain details to "verify an account."

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Baiting: This method involves offering something enticing to an end-user, in exchange for private data or to install malware. For example, free downloads of a popular game that is actually malicious software.

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Tailgating or Piggybacking: This involves an attacker seeking entry to a restricted area without proper authentication by following someone with legitimate access. For instance, they might walk in behind an employee through a secure door.

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Quizzing: Using fake surveys to trick people into giving away their personal information.

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Impersonation: Pretending to be someone else to gain the confidence of a victim, often impersonating a person of authority or trust.

At its core, Social Engineering is all about exploiting the human element of security. Attackers play on emotions, such as fear, curiosity, or a desire to help to manipulate their victims. As a defense against social engineering, education and awareness training are key. When individuals can recognize and resist manipulative tactics, they are less likely to become victims.

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Thanks for reading. ??