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Translation in English by @Samalen_tv
What is phishing?
Phishing is a type of social engineering attack that cybercriminals use to steal data, and it’s currently the most common cybercrime in the US. Disguised as a trusted entity, fraudsters send emails that trick people into clicking on an infected link or attachment.
Spear phishing is a more sophisticated form of phishing. It’s more successful than standard attacks because they target a specific individual. By gathering information from social media or company websites, the perpetrators impersonate a known, trusted contact of the victim (e.g., a manager or colleague) to throw them off the scent.
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What happens if you click on a phishing link?
Cybercriminals use phishing links in two ways. Some links lead to fake — but convincing — websites that ask you to enter your login credentials, bank card details, etc. The perpetrator then steals this information for illegal purposes and compromises your account.
Phishing links can also be corrupted with malware (or ransomware). If a victim clicks on an infected link, cybercriminals could gain access to all the data stored on their device. Due to the importance of data security nowadays, a data breach like this could damage an organization’s reputation and result in serious losses.What happens if you open an email with a phishing link?
Fortunately, it’s very unlikely a cyber criminal will be able to steal your data or install a virus on your computer by you simply opening a spam email.
The programming behind the emails usually requires users to download an attachment or click on a phishing link within the email to infect a device.
However, as technology has advanced, so have phishing attacks, so it’s still a good rule of thumb to never open a spam email.
So, what happens if you click on a phishing link?
Depending on your specific situation, a few different things can happen if you click on a phishing link.
A Hacker May Receive Information From or About You
If you click on a phishing link, the attacker will automatically receive some basic data, such as your device statistics, approximate location and any other information you may have voluntarily provided.
Malware May Be Installed on Your Device
Malicious software, like spyware, ransomware or a virus can be installed unbeknownst to the user. These malicious files can infect your device and collect confidential data for the cyber criminal.
Your Network and Contacts May Be Exploited
Breaches to your entire network can happen if you click on a phishing link when hackers start sending the people on your contact list further phishing emails, or worse, gain remote access to your computer.
What should you do if you’ve determined your device has been compromised?
If you suspect your device has been compromised after clicking on a phishing link, the first thing you should do is disconnect your device from the internet and all other networks. This will prevent malware from spreading to synchronized devices.
Then, immediately contact your company’s IT department and run a virus scan, deleting any malware detected. Try to quickly reset any passwords that may be compromised and await further guidance from your organization’s IT support.
After you have taken those immediate actions, it’s good practice to also close the email and mark it as spam or junk. This helps train your company’s phishing detection software to catch it next time.
You may also want to watch for communications from friends, family or colleagues about strange emails they may have received from you. Remember, the hacker might have access to your contact list!
Four Ways to Prevent Clicking on a Phishing Link in the First Place
The greatest remedy to breaches is prevention and education on the front end—avoiding clicking on a phishing link altogether. Here are a few ways you can prevent a successful phishing attack from happening to your business in the first place:
1. Update Your Antivirus Protection
Make sure your antivirus and anti-ransomware software is up to date. Security software isn’t 100% perfect at removing all forms of malware, so it’s important to run regular scans and make sure your virus definitions are current.
2. Institute Phishing Email Detection
Use an email system with a sophisticated detection scanner to scan all incoming email attachments. This application will not only detect potential phishing but will also block the emails that may have viruses or other malicious files attached.
3. Prioritize Phishing Education
When all else fails, rely on your training. Spam messages usually have several red flags that can tip you off before you click on a phishing link. If you’re able to spot them beforehand, you can stop a phishing attack before it happens.
4. Connect with an IT Partner
Don’t be afraid to reach out for help. Even if you don’t have an IT department, an outsourced IT provider can help you with a variety of IT services that can prevent phishing attacks. Having an outside eye and the insight of an expert can position your business to be even safer from phishing attacks and data breaches.
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