Email spoofing is a common method that cyber criminals use to gain access to sensitive data. Unfortunately, it is more common in businesses than in individual inboxes, and employees need to be extra vigilant when opening and clicking on links in emails. However, there are ways that you can protect your business from the 3.1 billion domain spoofing emails which are sent per day. Let’s see how Neuways can help you protect your business from email spoofing and keep it safe from cyber criminals and attacks.
Where do cyber attacks originate?
Most cyber attacks will originate from an email. If well-prepared and spelt correctly, a well-coordinated spoofing attack can help cyber criminals gain access to sensitive data. Even if they do not gain access to your passwords or banking details right away, they can potentially gain enough data to blackmail you into achieving the required target. The essential aim of email spoofing is to obtain sensitive data which can be used to blackmail users to acquire more personal data. Remember, as a business, it might not even be your company that is the intended target, but they might be after your client’s data. That is why it is so important to be safe. It won’t reflect well on your brand or company name if data leaks or is stolen from your database.
If you are the unlucky victim of such an attack, then you need to also ensure you have a disaster recovery plan in case your data is stolen.
What is email spoofing?
So, we have established that many data leaks and cyber attacks originate from email spoofing. But how can you stop it? Is there an easy way to identify an illegitimate email or message?
The best way to identify spoofing is to look at the email address in case it might be a phishing attack. When it comes to spoofing, the “sender” will likely have been able to forge an email header that looks similar to someone who works at your company. So be extra vigilant if anyone asks you to click on a link. We would suggest following the same protocols if it were a phishing attack or an HMRC scam.
Any cyber criminal who has put the effort in will do their research on your company. They are then likely to take on the persona of a higher-level employee before emailing lower-level employees. The most likely targets would be those who work in Accounts or HR, who have access to the most data. If these are unsuccessful, it is expected that they will target other admin staff and use any stolen data to blackmail the originally targeted employees.
Therefore, if you receive an email from your Manager or CEO, try and reach out to them directly before clicking on them. First, confirm it is them that has sent you that email. Then, give them a call (or ask your Line Manager if they can ring them) if there are any link click requests or for you to share private information.
How can I prevent being caught out by email spoofing?
Don’t click links. If you receive an email requesting that you click a link, take a step back and ask yourself if this is legitimate. It can save you time, money, and stress if you just don’t click on any links.
One quick way of identifying email spoofing is to look at the contents. Look for poorly written spelling and grammar. Although this is not a sure-fire way of detecting spoofing, it can lead the recipient to raise questions and think about whether it might be legitimate. If the source and sender are reliable then they shouldn’t have poor spelling and grammar, particularly regarding financial information. In addition, if you have never signed up for communication from brands or companies but are receiving emails from them, then it is likely to be spoofing (or GDPR – but that is a whole other story!).
If the email wants you to visit a website, don’t click on it, but place your mouse over it to see the URL. Many times, it’s nothing like the actual site. So, if you are a business owner, please emphasise to your employees how vigilant they must be when receiving emails.
Some companies have come up with genius ways of sharing sensitive data in ways other than emails. But it is always best to ensure that you have the right cyber security tools in place, regardless of how you are sharing sensitive data.
Can Neuways help to protect your business from suspect emails?
Yes! Neuways can definitely help you combat suspicious emails. We offer an excellent Managed Security and Phishing Awareness Training. By teaching your employees to be more careful with emails, we can save you time and money, making your business more efficient. In addition, you lessen the risk of sensitive and private data being leaked.
With the proper cyber security training, you can ensure your company is secure against potential cyber criminals. If you have the proper protocols and security in place, hackers will likely give up. They would much rather go for an easy target.
Discover more about how Neuways can make your data more secure. We’re always happy to help!