3 Common-Sense Ways to Prevent Phishing Attempts

Today, phishing is one of the most dangerous forms of online threats. In the fourth quarter of 2016 alone, social media-based phishing attempts increased 500 percent. As if that weren't enough, a recent 2017 report found that the average business user comes across at least one phishing attempt via email each day. Luckily, you can reduce the risk of phishing (and ensure you're protecting your endpoints) by recognizing the signals of phishing and taking proactive steps to prevent attacks.What Is a Phishing Attack?

Phishing attacks take place when a hacker or thief attempts to steal sensitive information through electronic communications. This information includes but is not limited to passwords, usernames and credit card information, by sending electronic communications that look like they are from a trustworthy source. Each year, successful phishing attempts claim more than $5 billion from US consumers and businesses.

Why Phishing Is Hard to Detect

While it may seem like a fake email would be simple to detect, the opposite is often true. Phishing communications commonly look and feel authentic and may even come disguised as transmissions from organizations you do business with. Even if a phishing email is detected, that doesn't always mean your company is safe. According to the report mentioned above, most IT professionals are very indecisive when it comes to handling phishing attempts. While only 33 percent alert an admin about the attempt, a whopping 41 percent take no action at all.

With companies hesitant to make the most of automation and bereft of authentication frameworks, phishing continues to be a troublesome and dangerous cyber threat.

3 Common-Sense Ways to Prevent Phishing Attempts

Despite the prevalence and disturbing nature of phishing attempts, it is possible to reduce your risk of falling victim to them. Here's how:

1. Train Employees to Recognize and Respond to Phishing Attempts

While it can be difficult to detect critical threats and phishing emails, it's far from impossible.

When you train users to recognize the tell-tale signs of phishing emails, which include mismatched URLs, poor spelling and grammar, or a request for personal information, it's easier to prevent phishing attacks from happening and recognize them when they do.

2. Implement Technology, But Don't Put All Your Faith in It

While technology solutions can help mitigate phishing risk, you can't place all of your trust in them. With that in mind, deploy continuous monitoring and response programs for threat management but continue educating the human segment of your company, as well. No threat detection and response solution is foolproof, and the more approaches you have in place, the safer you will be from phishing attacks.

3. Keep an Eye on Execution

Good execution can prevent a significant portion of phishing attempts. To minimize your risk, deploy a solution that makes it so only trusted programs can run on your enterprise systems at any given time. This decreases the likelihood that your sensitive information will be exposed, and makes protecting your endpoints easier.

Although phishing attempts will remain a large threat for endpoint users, using a combination of an educated workforce, smart technology, and intelligent execution platforms is a smart way to mitigate security threats and keep your network in good shape.

NetWorks Group can help prevent, detect and respond to cyber security incidents that arise out of a phishing attack. Contact us today to learn more about our solutions.