One of the most common issues people and companies alike have when it comes to security issues is through email. That’s because email scams an easy trap to fall prey to.
Think about it – all it takes is one click and a virus is taking over your software (on your computer, your phone, your account, any of it). And the process to undo that is significantly more time consuming than it was to fall into the scam.
Part of the issue can be attributed to how often we check our email. With 24/7 access to your accounts through smart devices, most people are used to reading though an email and taking some kind of action with it – clicking on links or attachments, responding, deleting it, etc. – without a second thought. Especially if the email has ended up in your inbox instead of the junk folder.
Between this ability for scammers to make their emails look so realistic (and like they’re coming from someone in your organization or someone you communicate with frequently), it’s easy to fall prey to their tricks. To avoid this, it’s essential to be vigilant and take precautionary measures when using emails, websites, and online communications.
Here are some tips to help you stay safe:
- Be cautious with email links: Avoid clicking on links or downloading attachments from unknown or suspicious sources. Hover your mouse over links to see the actual URL before clicking.
- Check email sender addresses: Phishers may use email addresses that appear similar to real ones but have slight misspellings or variations. Double-check the sender address before responding or opening anything.
- Avoid sharing sensitive information: Legit organizations and companies won’t ask you to provide personal information through email. Be cautious about sharing things like passwords, social security numbers, or credit card details.
- Be wary of urgent or threatening messages: Phishers often create a sense of urgency or fear to trick you into taking immediate action – such as a password expiring soon, or a bill being collected. Take a moment to analyze the situation before responding.
- Don’t trust caller ID or email display names: These things can be easily spoofed. Just because a call or email appears to be from a legitimate source, doesn’t mean it is.
While these tips might seem like common sense, they’re easy to forget about. Taking an extra second or two to double check an email never hurts, especially when the consequences of not doing it can lead to major problems – for you and your whole company.
How We Can Help
The first step to avoiding phishing scams is having the right security systems in place. Whether that’s tightening your current security measures or installing new ones to help spot spam emails before they hit your inbox, having that initial safeguard will reduce the likelihood that you seem scam emails at all, much less interact with them accidentally. Our IT team has dealt with all the headaches that come from phishing scams, and we’re ready to make sure you don’t have the same struggles. And if you do, we’re here to get things restored and back to normal. If you want to know more about all your security and IT options, reach out to us!