Phishing is an online scam in which fraudsters send emails or make websites that look legitimate official messages from a bank, eBay, PayPal, or other entities to collect sensitive information such as usernames and passwords. To prevent phishing attacks, here are a few things you can do.
Turn off the option to automatically download images from mail servers. By default, Microsoft Outlook, Mozilla Thunderbird, and other email clients accept images from mail servers to zoom into text and make it more readable. By setting this option to “never,” users can view the email without zooming in, which decreases the chance of being tricked.
Enable multi-factor authentication on your email account even if you are not constantly on the internet. It is easy to set up a second-factor authentication (2FA) feature on many online services, and it will keep your account secure. Two-factor authentication is an additional security step requiring users to enter two different pieces of information before accessing their accounts. For example, entering a password and going to the website will not work without the correct username and password.
Instruct your employer to manage the login credentials of your email account at least once every couple of years. Suppose you use the same password for all your online accounts. In that case, it is easier for an attacker to intercept those credentials, gain access to your online accounts, and potentially cause damage or other malicious activity.
When phishing occurs, read the email and identify if it comes from a possible bank or corporate email address or one that looks like it was sent by a friend or family member on your contact list. If so, wait for at least 24 hours and check with your bank or company before responding.
If phishing occurs, report it to the company and send them a link to the phishing site. Report any suspicious activity with your social networking sites, especially LinkedIn. Users should be wary of unsolicited posts from individuals that claim to know them that ask for personal information such as bank details.
Security updates can help prevent many security issues that arise daily, even if they are not meant to be used in an attack scenario. However, every user should have anti-virus and malware protection. Not all security updates work on every computer. Therefore, ensure that you install the latest security updates on your system as soon as they are available.
Phishing can lead to a significant data breach that can put a company at risk of losing customers and financial and monetary loss. Always watch out for suspicious emails and ensure your security updates are up to date. By following the steps provided above and educating yourself about phishing, you will be able to prevent many attacks online today and keep your personal information safe from being compromised.
