How to Recognize Phishing Lures

cybersecurity awareness What is phishing? The concept of phishing is similar to actual fishing. Scammers use email or text message “bait” to trick you into “biting” on their ruse by giving them your personal information.

Scammers may try to steal your passwords, account numbers, answers to security questions or Social Security numbers. If they get that information, the affects could be very costly. The scammers could gain access to your email, bank account, or other accounts.

Phishing Scams are Successful

Criminal scammers launch thousands of phishing attacks like these every day — and they’re often successful. The FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center reported that people lost $57 million to phishing schemes in just one year.

Scammers often change or update their baiting tactics, so Intrada Technologies is constantly on the lookout for possible scams that may affect our cybersecurity clients.

Scam Warning Signs

Be aware of these warning signs to help you recognize a phishing email or text message.

Phishing emails and text messages may look like they are from a company you know or trust. They may look like they are from a bank, a credit card company, a social networking site, an online payment website or app, or an online store. They are designed to trick you into believing their bait is real and taking action.

Phishing emails and text messages often tell a story to trick you into clicking on a link or opening an attachment.

They may:

say they have noticed some suspicious activity or log-in attempts
claim there is a problem with your account or your payment information
say you must confirm some personal information
include a fake invoice
want you to click on a link to make a payment
say you are eligible to register for a government refund
offer a coupon for free stuff.

The goal is to get you to click on the link or attachment, which then makes you and your network vulnerable.

Protect Yourself and Your Business from Scams

How do you protect yourself and your business from scams?

1) Never respond.

Most people want to respond, but that just tells the scammer that they have someone on their phishing hook. Instead of responding, delete the email and smile because you have a real job that does not involve tricking people out of their money or personal information.

2) Never click on a link in an email and provide login information.

Scammers place hyperlinks in emails or texts that take you to a website that looks familiar, but it is fake. Their fake sites are designed to specifically collect the information you type. If you receive an email and want to check an account to make sure everything is okay, open your browser and then type in the site you want to access.

3) Have Intrada Technologies’ Help Desk team check the email.

If you didn’t expect the email, have the email and possible attachment checked by our Help Desk to make sure everything is good. Intrada’s Help Desk team has a variety of tools to confirm your email is clean and safe.

4) Never send financial or medical information through email.

Email is not a secure way to transmit or store information. If a scammer obtains access to your email account, you want to limit the information they can access. The main target of a scammer is to access your email and monitor your activities.

5) Never use password resets you didn’t request.

If you receive a password reset email, a scammer may be trying to break into your account.

The Federal Trade Commission also has tips on how to avoid or report scams here.

How Can We Help?

Cybersecurity attacks on businesses and individuals are on the rise and individual users are the weakest link. If you would like to learn more on how to protect your business and yourself, contact us for a cybersecurity audit, cybersecurity awareness training and other tools you and your business may need to prevent an attack.

Intrada Technologies is a cybersecurity solutions partner with the Pennsylvania Chamber of Commerce. Members of the Pennsylvania Chamber of Commerce are eligible for a preliminary cybersecurity audit at no cost.

In the meantime, your Intrada Technologies team is here to answer any questions and support you if you believe you may have been scammed - just use the contact form below to reach out. {seog:disable}