Welcome to Cybersecurity Awareness Month! Each week, we’ll cover different cybersecurity topics to safeguard your online activities at work. This is the first of a five-part series, so stay tuned for weekly updates.
Cybersecurity isn’t just for the experts—each one of us plays a crucial role in protecting our digital environment. Given the increasing prevalence of cybercrime and threats coming from both external and internal sources at work, it’s more important than ever to stay vigilant.
When it comes to phishing, knowledge is your best defense. Phishing involves cybercriminals sending deceptive emails to trick you into revealing personal information or downloading malware. Fortunately, spotting a phishing attempt can be straightforward once you know what to watch for. Here are some key indicators of a phishing email:
- Unexpected Business Requests: Be cautious of sudden or unexpected requests related to your work.
- Requests for Personal Information: Legitimate organizations will not ask for sensitive information via email.
- Mismatched Email Addresses: Ensure the email address matches the company it claims to represent.
- Suspicious Links or Attachments: Avoid clicking on unfamiliar links or downloading attachments from unknown sources.
- Generic Greetings: Emails that use vague or generic salutations rather than your name might be phishing attempts.
- Urgent Language: Beware of emails that use alarming or threatening language to rush you into action.
- Unbelievable Offers: If an email promises something that seems too good to be true, it probably is.
- Poor Quality Writing: Watch out for misspellings and bad grammar, which are common in phishing emails.
If you come across a phishing email, you’ve already made a crucial first step by recognizing it. For emails received at your work address, always follow your company’s procedures for reporting suspicious emails.
Stay safe and vigilant this Cybersecurity month!
Last Updated on October 2, 2024
