Phishing emails have become a significant issue for business owners. This article explores what you need to know about this type of scam and how to spot them.
Did you know that 74% of businesses in the US have reported experiencing a successful phishing scam over the last year? This is crucial as it means that the scams are often successful and do put companies at a significant level of risk.
It is also 14% higher than the global average and research suggests that these types of scams are on the rise. That’s why it’s important to ensure that you do understand how to recognize a phishing scam.
If you know what the emails look like then you can ensure that your business isn’t the next victim.
Phishing Scams Explained
A phishing scam usually takes the form of an email sent to a specific individual with the aim of them performing a certain task. The attack could use a variety of techniques including getting info from social media to ensure that the email looks genuine.
They could request the individual clicks on a link or trick someone into logging in with a particular password.
Socially engineered emails are particularly dangerous because they look like the real article. This can bring devastating damage if an individual completes the task requested. So, what are the ways to spot a phishing email?
Watch Out For Bad Grammar And Spelling
An email that feels particularly unprofessional can be a sign of a phishing email. However, do bear in mind that this will usually be from an amateur scammer. The most dangerous scammers won’t make this mistake.
Although they might be foolish enough to start an email with a greeting that is unfamiliar or that doesn’t fit quite as it should. Starting an email with ‘Dear’ is a classic example of this.
Inconsistencies In The Email
You might also notice that there are various inconsistencies in the email. One of the most common would be an email address that is completely different from the organization it is being sent from.
This could have an address that is in no way related to the individual who is supposedly messaging you. IT services in Santa Rosa, CA, and similar solutions can reduce the emails like this that reach you by monitoring your accounts.
Too Good To Be True
Finally, emails like this will often provide the offer of rewards that can be deemed ‘too good to be true.’ A common tactic to get people to take action is to claim that they will be rewarded for doing so. If in doubt, you should make sure that you try calling the individual who is supposedly emailing you. It’s likely that this will verify it is a scam.
We hope this helps you understand everything that you need to know about phishing scams in your business. Don’t forget, your best form of defense is always going to be training.
You need to make sure that everyone in your business can recognize the signs of this type of scam. Particularly, those who can provide access to the sensitive data that your business stores.