Welcome back for Day 2 of our Cybersecurity Awareness Week! Yesterday, we tackled the sneaky world of “quishing.” Today, we’re diving into a cybersecurity threat that remains a persistent and potent danger: phishing.
Whether it lands in your inbox, pops up as a text message, or even comes as a phone call, phishing is all about deception. Cybercriminals craft convincing messages, impersonating trusted entities – your bank, your favorite online store, even your colleagues – to trick you into revealing sensitive information or taking harmful actions.
Why is Phishing So Powerful?
• Plays on Emotion: Phishing often uses urgency, fear, or even excitement (like a fake prize notification) to bypass your critical thinking.
• Looks Legitimate: Attackers are getting incredibly sophisticated at mimicking the branding and language of real organizations.
• Multiple Delivery Methods: It’s not just email anymore! Be wary of suspicious texts (smishing) and phone calls (vishing) too.
Key Red Flags to Watch For:
In Emails:
• Generic greetings (“Dear Customer”).
• Sense of urgency or threats.
• Suspicious links or unexpected attachments.
• Poor grammar and spelling.
• Email address doesn’t match the sender’s claimed organization.
In Texts (Smishing):
• Unexpected messages asking for personal info or to click a link.
• Claims of package delivery issues or urgent account updates.
• Numbers you don’t recognize.
In Calls (Vishing):
• Unsolicited calls from “technical support” or government agencies asking for remote access or personal details.
• Demands for immediate payment to avoid negative consequences.
• Pressure to act quickly without time to think.
Your Best Defense: VERIFY, VERIFY, VERIFY!
No matter how legitimate a message seems, always verify the request through an independent and trusted source.Don’t use the contact information provided in the suspicious message itself.
• For emails: Instead of clicking a link, go directly to the organization’s official website by typing the address into your browser.
• For texts: Don’t click links or reply. Contact the supposed sender through their official website or phone number.
• For calls: Hang up and call the organization back using a number you know is genuine.
Stay vigilant and remember: when in doubt, verify it out!
#CybersecurityAwareness #HumanRisk #InfoSec #Phishing #Smishing #Vishing #CybersecurityTips #StaySafeOnline #LinkedInLearning
20
20
20