Inventions are often neutral, and they are made positive or negative by the people that use them. This proverb rings true even when considering the early days of the internet. Launched in 1983 to interconnect various computer networks, this new technology soon faced a nagging enemy in the form of phishing scams.
Phishing is a kind of cybercrime where scammers deceive internet users into clicking links containing viruses, disclosing private information, and other hazards that endanger personal or corporate online security. Unknowingly, a family member or employee could click on a phishing scam and unleash a virus that wipes out all your files or subjects your institution to brand abuse.
Since the world is now spending more time online due to the pandemic, companies, brands, and homes should be more on guard about phishing scams and attacks. Read on to know the best defences for anti-phishing!
Employee and Customer Education
After all, knowledge is power, so this might be the best place to start. Seek your IT department’s help to create a series on phishing, its modus operandi, how it can be prevented, and what recipients can do when they encounter a phishing email, text, or message.
We’d recommend publishing a video and infographic across all your communication channels to spread the word. In each medium, include your organisation’s legitimate details such as:
- Official website address
- Official physical addresses
- Official contact information
In the end, emphasise that any other information given is fake and, therefore, a potential scammer or phishing attack waiting to happen.
Anti-Phishing or Anti-Impersonation Defences
You might be swamped with many phishing scams and emails that you might not even know where to start. Get your virtual house in order by purchasing phishing protection software that instantly detects when a certain number of links or emails are dangerous to the click. This way, you and your entire organisation can immediately discern which to avoid.
Regular Checks on Social Media
Scammers and hackers are always one step ahead. If they can’t phish via email, they’ll do it through social media instead. These messages sometimes pop up in your Spam or Message Requests folder on Facebook Messenger or Instagram.
To be sure, check the sender as it might be a friend or acquaintance who was simply redirected outside your primary inbox. Do not even click if they have an unusual or indiscernible username and a strangely written message containing a link. Immediately delete the message to protect yourself from brand abuse.
Prompt Reports to Social Media Networks
Once you have recognised a phishing attack, submit a report to Facebook or Instagram with screenshots and links to the respective hacker. Doing so notifies the medium that it must take action and resolve the issue.
To expedite the process, have all your staff report on the same account(s) so that Facebook, Instagram, or the social media in question realise it is a pressing issue since multiple accounts are notifying about the same scam.
Deletion of Fake Websites
Another sneaky way scammers phish you is by creating a fake website with your company details, information, and a list of products they pretend to sell. In reality, they could just be using your name to steal funds and knowledge to keep phishing others. This is one instance of brand abuse you must stop, lest your company’s reputation is tarnished.
Report all scams and cybercrime to the respective government agency as an anti-phishing measure.
The Last Line of Defence
Knowledge is power, but knowing is only half the battle. The best anti-phishing and brand abuse measures require the application of all the defences as mentioned earlier to ensure total protection against hacking, phishing, and other virtual breaches. Although the process takes time and resources, prioritising your organisation’s online reputation will prove valuable in the long run.
For some of the best anti-phishing and brand abuse protection in Australia, contact FraudWatch now! We’re a leading digital brand protection agency defending clients worldwide from malware, digital impersonation, and phishing since 2003.