Top Tips to Protect Yourself From Phishing

July 13, 2022

Not so fun fact: over 90% of ransomware attacks are delivered via malicious email. Phishing emails are becoming harder to spot, with well-written ones making it past even the most observant recipients. Follow these tips to protect yourself an your business.

Phishing emails may look like they’re from a company you know or trust. Make sure to:

• Trust your gut instinct. If you receive an email that seems odd, it probably is.
• Don’t open attachments that you were not expecting.
• Check email headers to make sure you recognize the sender and any other recipients.

The bottom line is when in doubt, reach out to the person who allegedly sent the email by phone or in person. By contacting them, you could save yourself and your company from a potential ransomware attack.

We all receive embedded links in emails. 

• Never provide information to a website that you are directed to through an embedded link in your email.
• Always go directly to that website by searching that site’s public web address or call the organization to make sure the information provided to you is legitimate.

Passwords should not only be changed on the regular but should be an appropriate length.

• Use longer complex passwords with numbers and special characters to protect your sensitive accounts and avoid using the same password for multiple accounts.
• If necessary use a passphrase that would be easy for you to remember but only you would understand.

Remember, scammers are trying to use your emotions to get you to act now.  If you are feeling a sense of urgency to make a quick decision, then you are likely to be a victim of an attack.