Phishing - How to Defend Your Business

February 28, 2023
By: ABM

Phishing is a common tactic used by cybercriminals to steal sensitive information such as passwords, credit card numbers, and personal information. Not only is it on the rise, but method and attacks are becoming more sophisticated. In the second half of 2022, attacks increased by over 60%, and over 90% of attacks are initiated through social engineering.

To better defend your business against phishing attacks, here are some steps you can take:

  1. Employee Education: Educate employees on how to identify and report phishing attempts. Provide training on the latest phishing techniques, and conduct regular security awareness training to keep employees informed and vigilant.

  2. Email Filters: Implement email filters to detect and block phishing emails from reaching employees' inboxes. These filters can be set up to block emails that contain suspicious links or attachments.

  3. Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Require employees to use two-factor authentication for all accounts, especially those that contain sensitive information. This will make it more difficult for hackers to gain access to accounts, even if they have obtained the password.

  4. Website Verification: Verify the authenticity of websites before entering any sensitive information. Look for the "https" in the URL and the padlock icon in the browser address bar, which indicate that the site is secure.

  5. Anti-Phishing Tools: Use anti-phishing tools to identify and block phishing attempts. There are many anti-phishing tools available, including browser extensions, email add-ons, and standalone applications.

  6. Incident Response Plan: Develop an incident response plan that outlines the steps to be taken in the event of a successful phishing attack. The plan should include steps to contain the damage, restore services, and notify stakeholders.

By taking these steps, businesses can better protect themselves from phishing attacks and reduce the risk of a damaging breach. ABM can help - contact us now to talk about how you can defend yourself.