Business owners have a lot of things to worry about - making sure products and services are top notch, that they're being marketed effectively, that employees are productive and happy. So adding yet another thing to that list may not be the most exciting prospect, but protecting your business against phishing attacks can be invaluable. Here is what you need to know about phishing attacks and how you can prevent them.
What Is Phishing?
First off, phishing is an attempt by cybercriminals to obtain personal information or financial data by posing as a legitimate business or individual. This can be done in a number of ways, but the most common is through email.
The attacker will send an email that looks like it's from a legitimate company or individual, and in that email they will ask the recipient to click on a link or download an attachment. Links will often take the recipient to a site designed to look like something normal, perhaps the Office 365 login page, which is actually designed to log whatever credentials are entered. Downloaded attachments will typically install malware which can allow them to access private data.
Once a device or credentials have been compromised, the attacker can then steal information from the network, commit fraud or identity theft, or wreak havoc by deleting files and bringing operations to a standstill.
Contrary to popular belief, you don't have to be a large corporation to be a target of phishing attacks. In fact, small businesses are often the targets of these attacks because they typically have less robust security measures in place. So, it's critical to protect your business data, no matter how big your company is.
How Can I Prevent A Phishing Attack?
Thankfully, there are a variety of steps your business can take to prevent becoming a victim of a phishing scam.
Employee Training
One of the best ways to prevent phishing attacks is to educate your employees on what they are and how to spot them. There are a number of resources available that can help you do this. It's important to make sure your employees are familiar with the most common types of phishing scams.
Cybersecurity Policy
You should also have a policy in place for what to do if an employee receives a suspicious email. They should know not to open any attachments or click on any links, and they should know to report it to someone in your IT department right away.
Backup Your Data
Regularly backup your data in case your device is compromised and you need to restore it. This can protect your business against phishing and leave you in a much better position if a ransomware scam is successful because you'll still have access to the data being held hostage.
Implement MFA on Your Accounts
This is one of our favorites - Multi-factor authentication (MFA) is an additional layer of security that can be used to protect your business. With MFA, you'll need more than just a password to access your account. This can make it more difficult for attackers to gain access to your data.
Take the Time to Protect Your Business
Phishing attacks are a serious threat to businesses of all sizes. By taking the necessary steps to protect your business against phishing attacks, you can help to keep your company safe.
