Phishing Awareness: Protecting Yourself and Your Business This Cybersecurity Awareness Month

October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, making it the perfect time to focus on one of the most common and persistent cybersecurity threats: phishing. Although phishing has been around for years, it continues to adapt and become more sophisticated, making it a threat that everyone needs to be vigilant about.

Phishing attacks don’t only target businesses; they often aim at vulnerable individuals, including young people and seniors, who may be less familiar with recognizing suspicious activity. Raising awareness about phishing is essential to keep everyone safe, from employees to family members.

What is Phishing?

Phishing is a form of cybercrime where attackers disguise themselves as trustworthy organizations or individuals to trick people into revealing sensitive information, like passwords, credit card numbers, or personal details. There are several common types of phishing:

• Email Phishing: Attackers send fake emails that appear to be from reliable sources.
• Spear Phishing: These highly targeted attacks use personal information to make the message seem legitimate, often aimed at specific individuals within an organization.
• Vishing and Smishing: Voice phishing (vishing) and SMS phishing (smishing) use phone calls or text messages to extract information.

How to Spot Phishing Attempts

• Check the Sender’s Email Address: Look for subtle changes in the email address. A phishing email might use “@0penapproach.com” instead of “@openapproach.com,” with a zero replacing the letter “O.”
• Hover Over Links: Before clicking, hover over links to confirm they lead to trusted websites. If the URL looks off, it’s best to avoid it.
• Watch for Urgent Requests: Phishing emails often create urgency or fear to trick you into quick action. Be cautious with any message demanding immediate action or that seems emotionally charged.
• Be Wary of Attachments: Unexpected attachments, especially those with unfamiliar file types, may contain malware. If an attachment seems out of place, don’t open it.
• Check for Grammar and Spelling Errors: Many phishing messages contain awkward language or errors. Official communications are rarely sloppy, so errors can be a red flag.

Steps to Protect Against Phishing

• Avoid Suspicious Links and Attachments: When in doubt, don’t click or download anything that seems unusual.
• Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): MFA adds an extra layer of security to your accounts, making it harder for attackers to gain access even if they steal your credentials.
• Use Strong, Unique Passwords: Regularly update passwords and avoid using the same one across accounts.
• Report Suspicious Emails: Forward any suspicious messages to your IT team or cybersecurity provider. Reporting helps prevent these attacks from escalating.
• Conduct Regular Phishing Simulations: Phishing simulations keep employees alert and better equipped to identify real threats.
• Prioritize Ongoing Education: Continuous training is critical for building phishing awareness and maintaining a vigilant, security-conscious workplace.

Staying Vigilant

Phishing attacks will always be a risk but staying informed and alert goes a long way in reducing your exposure. This October, commit to building your phishing awareness, and encourage others to do the same. By staying vigilant, we can all play a part in keeping our workplaces and communities safe.

How Open Approach Can Help

If your business is looking to strengthen its defenses against phishing, Open Approach can support you with advanced security solutions and employee training. Our core security platforms include email filtering and protection that drastically reduce the number of malicious emails reaching your inbox. Through real-time monitoring, autonomous scanning, and detailed reporting, we help you keep phishing attempts at bay.

Through our Enhanced Security Platform, we also offer customized employee training that goes beyond one-time seminars. Our phishing simulations reflect current threat patterns, helping your team develop a proactive stance on security. With regular progress reports and actionable insights, we foster a culture of cybersecurity awareness within your organization.

To learn more about our security offerings or schedule a consultation, contact us today. We’re here to support your business with reliable, proactive security solutions that make a difference.