4 Ways to Detect a Phishing Attack

A modern network, when properly configured and protected with modern cybersecurity tools, can be extremely secure. Since that’s been the trend for some organizations over the years, hackers have been looking for ways around the security many businesses have in place. If hackers can’t break in through normal means, they will turn to other, more insidious methods, like phishing attacks, to get what they are after.

There are four ways you can keep your business safe from phishing emails. Let’s dig into them!

Is There a Sense of Urgency?

Business emails will generally have some sort of tone, whether it’s demanding or casual. However, a panicked, distressed, and unhinged email is more characteristic of a phishing email than anything you might receive in a serious workday. Phishing messages that are coercive or convincing in this way will try to get users to click on links, download attachments, or hand over credentials so that the criminal responsible can steal data or corrupt your systems.

Are There Spelling and Grammar Errors?

It’s hard to have perfect grammar, but there is a general baseline that you should come to expect from anyone in a legitimate business. If this baseline isn’t met, there is a very real chance that the email you’ve received could be a phishing scam. Look for misspelled words, poor use of grammar, or other inconsistencies that could give the message away.

Is the Domain All Wrong?

If you receive an email from a business—particularly your own—you might notice the domain of the email address, which is where it came from. If the domain doesn’t represent the identity of the sender, you’re probably looking at a scammer. Most companies with a good reputation will pay to host their own email server and domain, so you’re probably looking at a phishing message if this is not the case.

Do You Have Any Reason to Be Suspicious?

Finally, if you think the message is sketchy, you’ll probably want to be extra careful around it before you assume that it’s not threatening. If you have any reason at all to question its legitimacy, consider involving IT in the discussion, or authenticating the sender’s identity through a different means.

Phishing attacks are scary, and they can be tricky to identify if you’re not careful. To learn more about how to do this, reach out to us at (415) 246-0101.