The S.E.C.U.R.E. Method for Stopping Phishing Emails

Phishing remains the most prevalent type of cyberattack for a simple reason—it’s effective. Every day, more than 3.4 billion spam emails make their way into users' inboxes without warning. Phishing emails have dominated as the primary attack method for years due to their simplicity, scalability, and consistent success in deceiving people. With AI tools like ChatGPT, cybercriminals can now craft emails that mimic real human communication, making them even harder to detect. Falling for these scams can lead to serious consequences if you’re not vigilant.

In recognition of Cybersecurity Awareness Month, and with phishing emails being a leading cause of cyberattacks, we’ve put together a straightforward guide to help you and your team spot phishing emails and understand the importance of staying vigilant.

What are the potential consequences? Here are four major risks linked to phishing attacks:

1. Data Breaches
   Phishing attacks can compromise your organization’s confidential information, putting it in the hands of cybercriminals. When this data is exposed, hackers may sell it on the dark web or demand a ransom for its release, often asking for thousands or even millions of dollars—usually with no guarantee of its return. This situation can lead to financial and legal issues, harm your reputation, and erode customer trust.
2. Financial Loss
   Cybercriminals frequently exploit phishing emails to siphon money from organizations. Whether through fake invoices or unauthorized transactions, being targeted by phishing can significantly affect your financial health.
3. Malware Infections
   Phishing emails may include harmful attachments or links that can introduce malware into your systems when clicked. This can disrupt your business operations, result in data loss, and necessitate expensive recovery efforts.
4. Compromised Accounts
   If employees are deceived by phishing scams, their accounts may become vulnerable. Cybercriminals can then utilize these accounts to initiate additional attacks or access sensitive company information without permission.

And the list goes on. However, there are measures you can implement to avoid becoming the next target of a phishing attack.

Here’s the S.E.C.U.R.E. Method that you and your team can utilize to recognize phishing emails:

S – Start With The Subject Line: Is it suspicious? (e.g., “FWD: FWD: FWD: urgent review needed”)

E – Examine The Email Address: Do you know the sender? Is the email address strange (e.g., has unusual spelling) or unfamiliar (not the usual one they use)?

C – Consider The Greeting: Is the salutation odd or overly generic? (e.g., “Greetings, Ma’am!”)

U – Unpack The Message: Is there an exaggerated sense of urgency pushing you to click a link, download an attachment, or act on an offer that seems too good to be true?

R – Review For Errors: Are there any grammatical errors or unusual misspellings present?

E – Evaluate Links And Attachments: Hover over links before clicking to verify the URL, and avoid opening attachments from unknown senders or those you weren’t expecting.

Additionally, it’s crucial to have a cybersecurity professional oversee your network and filter out spam emails before they can lead to errors by your employees. Ensure you’re taking the right steps to safeguard your network. Phishing attacks are effective and occur all the time. We don’t want YOU to be the next victim.

If you require assistance in training your team on cybersecurity best practices or establishing a strong cybersecurity framework, or if you simply want an expert review of your current setup to identify any potential weaknesses, we are here to help you. Contact us at 704-470-9009 or click here to schedule a Discovery Call with our team.