The Latest Trend in Phishing Attacks
You’ve heard the saying, “A picture is worth a thousand words?” Well, it appears that cybercriminals have too and are taking advantage of it. The latest trend in phishing attacks has cybercriminals luring people to click on images rather than suspicious links.
Let’s look into the warning signs so you can protect your business from these cunning attacks.
What’s the big deal with clicking on an image? It could be a promotion for a great deal or one time offer.
However, when you click on one of these phishing images, it doesn’t take you to an actual website. Instead, you are led to a fake website designed to steal your personal information.
Imagine clicking on an image for a cute cat hat only to find out your identity is being stolen. It’s not cute anymore, isn’t it?
Identifying a Phishing Scam
So, how can we identify a phishing scam when we see one? The following are some red flags to watch out for:
Unexpected Emails: Have you ever received an email that you weren’t expecting from someone you don’t know? Watch out! It’s like taking candy from a stranger – you never know what you’re getting yourself into until it’s too late.
Email is Too Good to be True: If you open an email that is promising you a free vacation or the chance to win a million dollars, remember the golden rule: if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
Spelling and Grammar Mistakes: Listen, everyone, makes typos from time to time. But if an email is filled with them, it will indicate that something is wrong. Another red flag if they don’t address you by name.
Inconsistent Branding or Logos: If an email pretends to be from a reputable company but the branding or logo doesn’t match, it’s probably a scam.
Protect your Company from Image-Based Phishing Attacks
Educate your staff: Knowledge is power! Make sure your team is knowledgeable on the most recent in phishing tactics and how to recognize the warning signs.
Update Software: Don’t allow your software to age out. You wouldn’t drive a car with bare tires. Regular updates help patch security vulnerabilities that hackers can exploit.
Password Best Practices: It can be tempting to use an easy-to-remember password like “password123” for all your accounts, but resist the urge! Each account should have a unique and strong password to help prevent unauthorized access. A Password Manager can help here.
Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA): MFA requires users to confirm their identity using a different method, like a text message or fingerprint scan, to add an additional degree of security.
Backup your Data: Disaster can strike at any time. Ensure that you have a copy of all of your files in case it occurs. That way, if your data is compromised, you won’t be left in the dark.
Cybercriminals might be making their strategies more sophisticated, but there is no reason you can’t protect yourself. By being aware of the warning signs and taking preventative measures to protect your business, you can keep one step ahead of these online con artists.
Keep in mind that not all glitter is golf. Or in this instance, not every cute cat picture is just that. Keep an eye out for scams and don’t let these con artists win!
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