As
a business owner, you understand the risks that phishing and social engineering
attacks pose to your business. But the challenge now for leaders like you is
that these threats are constantly evolving and have become more sophisticated
than ever.
What
should concern you most is that hackers are targeting your employees. One
mistake by an untrained employee can have serious financial and reputational
damage. That's why you should make awareness your first line of defense.
In
this blog, we'll show you what to watch out for. The better you understand
these phishing and social engineering techniques, the better you'll be able to
protect your business.
Common tactics used by attackers
Gone are the days when bad grammar was a telltale sign of a
phishing attempt. Thanks to AI, hackers have levelled up their game. Here are
some common tactics they're using to lure their victims:
URL spoofing: Imagine walking into your favorite ice
cream shop to discover that it only looks familiar because the store copied the
logo and brand colors, but it's actually a fake store. Similarly, hackers
overlay the image of an authentic website with a malicious link. The website
uses the logo, URL, color and branding of a trusted website to trick you into
revealing sensitive information.
Link manipulation: To carry out this type of scam,
hackers create links that appear legitimate until you look closely. You may
have clicked the link and expected it to take you to one website, but the link
will direct you to a malicious website. It's dangerous because a single click
could launch malware or steal sensitive data without you realizing it.
Link shortening: Most of us have used link shorteners
because they're convenient. For cybercriminals, link shorteners are a way to
inject dangerous malware or steal data. That's why it's important to preview
any link before clicking on it; otherwise, you won't know if you're getting
directed to a trusted website or a phishing trap.
AI voice spoofing: This is a really scary one and can
challenge your idea of what is real. Cybercriminals are now using AI-based
technology to imitate anyone's voice. They can trick you into believing that
you're talking to someone from your family or work. Imagine your son or your
boss calling you asking for money or asking you to share a password. Wouldn't
you want to help? These calls feel urgent and real, and that's exactly how
these scammers trick you.
Beat the hackers by staying a step ahead
Phishing and social engineering attacks count on the fact
that your employees are human and that they're going to make mistakes. That's
why you have to be one step ahead. As an experienced IT service provider, we
understand that your business security needs to stay resilient even as phishing
attacks evolve.
Let's start by building a stronger human shield. Do you need
help training your employees? Reach out to us today to develop a security
awareness program that's best suited for your business needs!
