Small Business Cybersecurity Tips for Handling Phishing Campaigns

Table of Contents

  • What Is a Phishing Attack?
  • What Does a Phishing Email Look Like?
  • What Type of Info Are They Looking For?
  • What Do I Do if I (Or Someone I Work With) Responded to a Phishing Email?
  • How Do I Report Phishing? And to Whom?
  • Who Is at Risk of Phishing Attacks?
  • What Types of Phishing Attacks/ Phishing Scams Should I Know About?
  • How Do I Protect My Business From Phishing Attacks?
  • Choosing the Right Partner For Your IT Needs

Small business owners: we're talking to you in this blog article! Protecting your small business from cybersecurity threats is crucial for keeping your private data safe. Knowing about phishing attempts is important as they can put your vulnerable data at risk of theft. Stay vigilant and be aware of security gaps that need to be protected from these threats to safeguard your business.

Phishing emails often appear to be from a trusted source, like a bank or a well-known company. Email phishing is a common scam used by hackers to get important information from small businesses. Here's what you need to know about phishing emails and how to avoid falling for a scam.

What Is a Phishing Attack?

Phishing attacks are malicious attempts to deceive individuals into revealing sensitive information such as usernames, passwords, and credit card details. These attacks often occur through fraudulent emails that appear to be from legitimate organizations, such as financial institutions or online retailers.

The goal of a phishing attack is to trick the recipient into clicking on a malicious link or providing their personal information. Once the attacker obtains this information, they can use it for identity theft, financial fraud, or other criminal activities. Phishing attacks are a serious threat to individuals and businesses alike, as they can lead to significant financial losses and damage to one's reputation.

Phishing messages frequently arrive in the shape of emails. Often, hackers send deceptive emails to people that deceive them into clicking a link or entering login details. Frequently, these email senders pretend to be genuine businesses and even possess genuine-seeming email addresses.

If you click on a harmful link in a phishing email, it can result in malware infiltrating your computer. Additionally, it can grant the email client access to your personal information.


Although phishing emails are the most prevalent, these scams can also manifest as text messages, landline or mobile phone calls, or even physical letters.

What Does a Phishing Email Look Like?

Phishing emails may seem like any regular email you're accustomed to seeing, but upon closer inspection, there are certain clues that indicate their inauthenticity. By being aware of these common tricks, you can protect yourself from falling victim to such scams. Look for: 

  • The presence of unusual links within an email
  • The use of fear-inducing messages that claim unauthorized purchases have been made on your bank account
  • Urgent language like "immediate action required"
  • Generic greetings, such as "Dear Customer" instead of addressing you by name
  • Poor grammar
  • Requests for unexpected "required information" to regain access
  • An unfamiliar sender or email address that does not match the domain name

In general, it is best to assume any suspicious emails or messages are scam attempts to ensure your online safety. 

What Type of Info Are They Looking For?

Cybercriminals are constantly on the lookout for valuable information that they can use to their advantage. This includes personal details, such as name, address, and contact information, which can be sold on the dark web for a profit.

They also target login credentials, as gaining access to someone's accounts gives them full control over their online presence. Credit card numbers are highly sought after, as they can be used for fraudulent purchases or sold to others.

Business account details are also a valuable commodity, as they grant access to a company's financial resources and sensitive information. Bank account numbers are another prime target, as hackers can drain funds or use them for money laundering.

Lastly, usernames and passwords are highly valuable, as they provide unrestricted access to various online platforms and services.

What Do I Do if I (Or Someone I Work With) Responded to a Phishing Email?

If you or someone you work with responds to a phishing email, it is important to take immediate action. First, do not panic; human error is likely the most common reason these things happen. Phishing emails are designed to trick people into giving away their personal information, but there are steps you can take to minimize the damage.

Start by updating your old, outdated passwords and replace them with strong passwords for all relevant accounts. Then, reach out to your technology provider for guidance on additional security measures to prevent the sender from accessing more personal information. Consider enabling multi-factor authentication for all accounts that offer this option.

Phishing attacks can have serious consequences, including identity theft and unauthorized access to sensitive data. It is essential to remain vigilant and regularly update your security measures.

How Do I Report Phishing? And to Whom?

If you ever receive an email or text message that seems suspicious, the best thing to do is report it as spam. Just click on the settings for the message and choose "Report." This action will not only report the message but also block the sender from sending you any more emails.

Another option is to contact your technology provider and inform them about the fraudulent messages that other users may have received. By reporting these attacks, you can help protect your colleagues from falling for these suspicious messages.

Who Is at Risk of Phishing Attacks?

Using technology puts everyone at risk for phishing attacks, including those who may not be as tech-savvy. In fact, individuals who are less familiar with technology are more vulnerable to falling for these scams. Unfortunately, hackers specifically target people who may not be well-versed in technology and are less likely to identify suspicious messages, unsolicited emails, or fraudulent websites.

What Types of Phishing Attacks/ Phishing Scams Should I Know About?

There are several different types of phishing threats. Here are some of the common types a company should know about:

Spear Phishing

Spear phishing is a type of cyber attack that targets specific individuals, businesses, or organizations. It involves sending emails or other communications that appear to be from a trusted source in order to trick recipients into revealing sensitive information or performing malicious actions.

These attacks are highly sophisticated and often use personal information obtained from social engineering or data breaches to make phishing attempts more convincing.

Whaling

Whaling refers to a targeted form of phishing attack that focuses on senior executives or high-profile employees. In these attacks, scammers aim to deceive and manipulate these individuals into revealing sensitive information or transferring funds.

The goal of whaling attacks is to gain access to valuable data, such as financial information, credentials, or trade secrets. These attacks often involve highly customized and sophisticated methods, making them difficult to detect.

Smishing

Smishing is a type of phishing that occurs through text messages rather than emails. Scammers use text messages to trick people into giving away personal information or downloading malicious software. These messages often appear to be from a legitimate organization, such as a bank or government agency. They may ask for sensitive information like passwords, social security numbers, or credit card details.

Pharming

Pharming is the act of creating a phishing website and redirecting users to it. It is a fraudulent activity where cybercriminals aim to deceive internet users into visiting a fake website that appears to be legitimate. By doing so, they can collect sensitive personal information, such as usernames, passwords, and credit card details.

Pharming is a more advanced form of phishing as it does not rely on tricking users through fraudulent emails or messages. Instead, it manipulates the Domain Name System (DNS) to redirect users to the malicious website, even if they type in the correct URL.

Vishing

Vishing is a type of scam where the fraudster uses a phone call instead of an email to trick people. Instead of sending a deceptive email, the scammer will call their target and pretend to be from a legitimate organization. They will often use scare tactics or offer enticing rewards to persuade the victim to divulge personal or financial information.

How Do I Protect My Business From Phishing Attacks?

To protect your small business from phishing attacks, you should have multiple layers of security in place.

It is essential to train your staff to recognize the signs of a phishing message and have a cybersecurity strategy in place. Regularly sending "test" emails to employees can help identify those who may fall for phishing attempts, leaving your business vulnerable. Provide the opportunity for additional cybersecurity training in recognizing email phishing.


Additional protections can include implementing technology, such as spam filters, which can help filter out suspicious emails. Working with a technology provider like Twin Pines Technology can assist in installing these necessary filters. You may even consider investing in anti-virus software. 

Strengthening cybersecurity measures against security threats, such as using multi-factor or two-factor authentication, can help prevent hackers from gaining access to your business network and other accounts.

Additionally, there are a few tips to follow to avoid phishing and cyber threats.

  • Never click on a link in an email or text unless you are certain it is safe.
  • If an email seems suspicious and claims to be from a legitimate organization or government agency, it is wise to verify the email by searching for the company's phone number and calling to confirm.
  • Opening email attachments from unknown domain domains and providing personal information over email whenever possible should be avoided.
  • When receiving calls from unknown phone numbers, it is important not to share any identifying information and to hang up immediately if it becomes clear that it is a scam call.
  • Lastly, if you accidentally visit a suspicious site, report it and close out of it immediately.

Choosing the Right Partner For Your IT Needs

At Twin Pines Technology, we understand the importance of protecting your business against phishing attacks in today's world. Our goal is to help you make an informed decision about how to protect your business's information. Contact us today to speak with our knowledgeable consultants and take the first step towards a more secure future for your business.


We’ll make sure to only send interesting info, no crappy content or marketing fluff. Just the good stuff, promise!


Copyright 2021 Twin Pines Technology