Phishing is a type of social engineering attack that involves sending fraudulent emails or text messages that appear to be from a legitimate source. The goal of a phishing attack is to trick the recipient into clicking on a malicious link or providing personal information, such as their username, password, or credit card number.
Phishing attacks are a major threat to businesses and individuals alike. In 2021, there were over 3.1 billion phishing emails sent, and over 2.1 million people fell victim to these attacks.
There are a number of things you can do to protect yourself from phishing attacks. Here are some tips:
- Be suspicious of emails or text messages that ask for personal information. Phishing emails often contain links or attachments that, when clicked, will install malware on your computer or steal your personal information. If you receive an email or text message that asks for personal information, do not click on any links or open any attachments. Instead, contact the sender directly to verify the request.
- Be aware of the latest phishing scams. Phishing scammers are constantly coming up with new ways to trick people. It is important to stay informed about the latest phishing scams so that you can spot them before you fall victim. You can do this by reading security news articles or subscribing to security newsletters.
- Use strong passwords and enable multi-factor authentication. Strong passwords and multi-factor authentication (MFA) can help to protect your accounts from being compromised. A strong password is at least 12 characters long and includes a mix of upper and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. MFA adds an extra layer of security by requiring you to enter a code from your phone in addition to your password.
- Keep your software up to date. Software updates often include security patches that can help to protect your computer from malware. It is important to keep your software up to date to ensure that you are protected from the latest threats.
- Be careful what you click on. Phishing emails often contain links that, when clicked, will take you to a malicious website. Before you click on any link, make sure that you trust the sender and that the link is legitimate. You can do this by hovering over the link to see the URL that it will take you to.
- Use a security solution. There are a number of security solutions available that can help to protect you from phishing attacks. These solutions can scan your emails for malicious links and attachments, and they can also block phishing websites.
By following these tips, you can help to protect yourself from phishing attacks.