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• November 1, 2020
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Phishing emails have been known to specifically target pre-researched people. As there has been a very high number of common phishing emails seen, and consecutively, a high number of data breaches, there is adequate information available for cybercriminals. This information helps them hone their expertise and make their phishing attempts more and more indiscernible. 

The size of your organization doesn’t matter, as long as you and your team are using emails, your organization will remain vulnerable to cyber destruction through Phishing attempts. The most necessary step to be taken in any organization, regardless of its size is to make your workforce aware of exactly what is a common indicator of a Phishing attempt. In this day and age, depending on just your security team to fight sophisticated phishing attempts and save your organization is completely unworkable. 

How To Spot A Phishing Email: 5 Major Red Flags To Look For

We are not going to dramatize the functionality of technology here, albeit Artificial intelligence-powered cybersecurity has certainly been a game changer. However, the recent sophistication in phishing attempts makes the awareness of your team the most important factor in the fight against phishing attempts.

Let’s check out some of the most significant characteristics of phishing emails that indicate the email you have received is not authentic but a fatal cyberattack. 

• Top 5 Common Indicators Of Phishing Attempt

Modified Brand Logo & Different Domain Name

Always keeping your eye open for potential phishing attacks goes a long way. Paying attention to email addresses, domain names, modified brand logos, and links is the first and foremost step in trying to eliminate common phishing attacks. It is always worth cross checking the email address of the email you have received if you do not recognize it.  

• A Document Attached to the Email

Pay a lot more heed to emails especially when you receive them with an attached document from an unfamiliar sender. If you never requested or weren’t expecting to receive any files, be very cautious of downloading the attachment. The most common extensions associated with malware are .zip, .scr, and .exe or an extension that is unusual or unknown should first be scanned for viruses before you try to open them. 

• Short & Vague Content

An indicator of a phishing attempt is that the emails are ambiguous and have minimum content in them. These emails expect to convert their target by being obscure, leaving curiosity in the mind of the recipient to open the attachment. Albeit, some phishing emails can be crammed with content like the details that may offer a false sense of trust and security for the reader. 

• Catchphrase With Buzzwords

The subject line is one of the most important aspects of a Phishing email as it is the first thing you see before you open an email. Malicious actors make sure the catchphrases used in these emails are highly effective and generate a sense of urgency and fear. A scare tactic is one of the best ways to provoke the recipient of the email into making a rash decision. 

• Faults In Grammar or Spelling 

Incorrect spelling and grammar are one the most common giveaways of Phishing emails. These indicators are very easily recognizable. Emails from professionals usually do not have grammatical or spelling errors since it’s much easier today to integrate autocorrect features on most web browsers. 

Now since we have discussed the top 5 most common indicators of Phishing attempts, let us offer you the top 5 ways to protect your system from being a victim of such attacks. 

5 Ways To Avoid Phishing Attack 

Let us find some of the most effective ways to avoid Phishing Attempts and save your network from a disastrous attack below:

1. First and foremost, ensure automatic downloading of MS Outlook or Gmail images is disabled. 
2. In some situations, especially when a breach is detected, it becomes necessary to change your password immediately. And that’s when a corporate password manager can come in handy. It helps you change passwords in no time and avoid giving more chances to cybercrime for any further breaches. 
3. Always remember, be it small sized or mid-sized, cybercriminals do not spare anyone. Take all necessary precautions for spam and malware.  
4. Training your team and increasing their awareness of the common indicators of phishing attempts will go a long way. You can achieve that by offering seminars on topics like “What is the common indicator of a phishing attempt?”.
5. Your multi-factor authentication should be enabled everywhere and at all times. By doing this, if anyone tries to break into your system anonymously, you will receive a message asking you for final confirmation. 
   
   

All these tips and tricks are really beneficial in securing your system from a Phishing attack but we have more suggestions if you have already faced an attack or want to train your team to fight phishing threats professionally. One of the leading cybersecurity companies in the U.S. called Cyberware AI provides the best services and is even trusted by the government. If your company has faced a phishing attack, Cyberware AI can help to patch and configure your network. Moreover, it also offers Phishing training and awareness programs for your team. Once your team learns to recognise a Phishing attack, you can deal with the Phishing cyber threat before it even begins. 

To know more, reach out to us at: sales@cyberware.ai