Phishing is a psychological attack used by cyber criminals to trick you into giving up information or taking an action. Phishing originally described email attacks that would steal your online username and password. However, the term has evolved and now refers to almost any message-based attack. These attacks begin with a cyber criminal sending messages pretending to be someone you know. There are a wide range of forms this could take, some could pretend to be your friend, your bank, or store.
These messages will entice you into clicking malicious links, opening an infected attachment, or responding to a scam. Cyber criminals craft these good-looking emails and send them to millions of people around the world. The criminals do not know who will fall victim. They simply know that the more emails they send out, the more people they will have the chance to hack. In addition, cyber criminals are not limited to just email but will use other methods, such as instant messaging or social media posts.
The concept is the same as phishing, except that the targeted messages are sent to a few people instead of many. With spear fishing, the cyber attackers learn about their targets, by reading the intended victims' LinkedIn or Facebook accounts. They would also read messages they posted on public blogs or forums. Based on this research, the attackers then create a highly customized email that appears relevant to the intended targets. This way, the individuals are far more likely to fall victim.
You may not realize it, but you are a phishing target at work and at home. you and your devices are worth a tremendous amount of money to cyber criminals, and they will do anything they can to hack them. YOU are the most effective way to detect and stop phishing. If you identify an email you think is a phishing attack, call your security team right away. If you are concerned you may have fallen victim, do not hesitate to contact them. To learn more about phishing or to demo the SANS Securing The Human phishing testing platform, please visit Security Awareness Website.
A. Check the email addresses. See if the "FROM" address is someone's personal account. If email address reads @gmail.com or @hotmail.com it is most likely an attack. Also, check the "TO" and "CC" fields. Is the email being sent to people you do not know or do not work with?
B. Be suspicious of emails addressed to "Dear Customer" or that use other generic salutation. If a trusted organization has a need to contact you, they should know your name and information. Also ask yourself, am I expecting an email from this company?
C. Be suspicious of grammar or spelling mistakes; most businesses proofread their messages carefully before sending them.
D. Be suspicious of any email that requires "immediate action" or creates a sense of urgency. This is a common technique to rush people into making a mistake. Also, legitimate organizations will not ask you for your personal information.
E. Be careful with links, and only click on those that you are expecting. Also, hover your mouse over the link. This shows you the true destination of where you would go if you clicked on it. If the true destination is different that what is shown on the email, this is an indication of an attack.
F. Be suspicious of attachments. Only click on those you are expecting
G. Be suspicious of any message that sounds too good to be true. No, you did not just win the lottery.
H. Just because you got an email from your friend does not mean they sent it. Your friend's computer may have been infected or their account may be compromised. If you get a suspicious email from a trusted friend or colleague, call them on the phone.
Send any phishing emails you receive, including its full header information, to the Fredonia Information Security Office.
Related articles appear here based on the labels you select. Click to edit the macro and add or change labels.
|