Cybersecurity Guidance By Realising Designs & The Forge Partnership

Tips for protecting against phishing attacks

Phishing attacks are a common method used by hackers to trick individuals into revealing sensitive information or installing malicious software. To protect your business from these types of attacks, it is important to be aware of the tactics that hackers use and to take steps to safeguard your company and your employees. Here are some tips for protecting against phishing attacks:

  1. Be cautious of unexpected emails or messages, even if they appear to be from a trusted source. Hackers can impersonate individuals or organizations to trick you into revealing sensitive information or clicking on a malicious link.
  2. Don’t click on links or download attachments from unfamiliar sources. If you receive an email or message from a sender you don’t recognize, verify their identity before taking any action.
  3. Look for signs of a phishing attempt, such as poor grammar or spelling, a sense of urgency, or a request for personal or financial information.
  4. Verify the authenticity of communications before responding. If you are unsure whether an email or message is legitimate, contact the sender directly using a known, trusted method of communication.
  5. Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on your accounts to add an extra layer of protection.
  6. Use a spam filter to block suspicious emails and messages.
  7. Educate your employees about the dangers of phishing attacks and encourage them to be cautious when interacting with unfamiliar individuals or organizations online.
  8. Use a reputable security solution to protect your devices and email accounts from malware and other threats.
  9. Regularly update your software and devices to ensure that you have the latest security protections.
  10. If you believe that you have fallen victim to a phishing attack, change your passwords immediately and notify your IT professional or cybersecurity provider.

Creating phishing sites and spoofing emails is deceptively easy to do