Protect Yourself from Phishing Scams

Protect Yourself from Phishing Scams

An email-based cyberattack called phishing is carried out by hackers. Phishing scams employ emails that try to intimidate or con you into taking an action; typically, the target is to persuade the victim to divulge a password or other personal information, or to download malware.

Even worse, scammers may try to obtain your birthdate, Social Security number, bank account information, and credit card and credit card details.

Below are the ways to protect yourself from Phishing scams.

1. Be familiar with phishing scams.

Although new phishing attack techniques are always being developed, they all have some characteristics that may be seen if you know what to look for.

There are numerous websites online that can keep you up to date on the most recent phishing assaults and their distinctive characteristics.

The more frequently you do security awareness training for your users and the earlier you learn about the most recent attack techniques, the more likely you are to prevent a prospective assault.

2. Install free anti-phishing extensions

Nowadays, the majority of browsers allow you to download add-ons that detect the telltale characteristics of a fraudulent website or warn you about well-known phishing websites.

There is no reason not to have this installed on every device in your company since they are typically entirely free.

3. Give your information to a secure site only.

Don’t enter sensitive information or download files from a website if the URL doesn’t begin with “https” or if you can’t see a closed padlock icon next to the URL.

Protect Yourself from Phishing Scams

It’s possible that phishing scams are not designed for websites lacking security certifications, but it’s better to be safe than sorry.

4. Change passwords frequently.

If you have any online accounts, you should make it a habit to change your passwords frequently in order to stop an attacker from acquiring unrestricted access. ]By adding an extra layer of security through password rotation, you can stop ongoing attacks and keep potential attackers out of your accounts even if you weren’t aware that your accounts had been hijacked.

5. Use firewalls

Firewalls serve as a barrier between your computer and an attacker, effectively preventing external attacks. When used in tandem, desktop and network firewalls can increase security and lessen the likelihood that a hacker will infiltrate your environment.

6. Avoid being seduced by those pop-ups.

Pop-ups aren’t simply annoying; they’re frequently connected to malware as a result of phishing attempts. You may now download and instal free ad-blocker software that will automatically prevent the majority of dangerous pop-ups from most browsers.

But if one manages to get past the ad-blocker, resist the urge to click! Sometimes pop-ups will try to trick you by hiding the “Close” button in a different location, so always try to look for a “x” in the corner.