What is Phishing?
Phishing is a cyber crime that attempts to trick users into revealing sensitive information, such as passwords, credit card details or personal data. Attackers typically use fraudulent emails, text messages or even phone calls that appear to be from legitimate sources.
How Phishing works_
Phishing attacks rely on social engineering tactics to deceive victims. Here’s a simplified breakdown of the typical stages:
- Crafting the bait: Phishers create messages impersonating trusted senders like banks, credit card companies, popular online services or even colleagues or managers. They use logos, familiar fonts and a sense of urgency to appear legitimate.
- Embedding the hook: The message will contain a malicious link or attachment designed to trick the victim into clicking. These links might lead to fake login pages designed to steal credentials or download malware onto the victim’s device.
- Reeling in the catch: Once a victim clicks the link or opens the attachment, they become susceptible to the attacker’s goals. This could involve stealing login credentials, personal information, or infecting their device with malware to steal data or gain further access into the system.
Microsoft and Phishing protection_
Microsoft offers various tools and features to help organizations and individuals combat phishing attacks:
- Microsoft Defender for Endpoint: This comprehensive solution protects devices from malware, viruses and phishing attempts. It can analyse emails and websites for suspicious content and warn users before they click on malicious links.
- Microsoft Defender for Office 365: This cloud-based service helps secure email and collaboration tools within Microsoft 365. It includes features that detect and block phishing emails and protect users from malicious attachments.
- Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): MFA adds an extra layer of security by requiring a second verification factor, such as a code from your phone, in addition to your password when logging into accounts. This significantly reduces the risk of attackers gaining access even if they steal your password through phishing.
By implementing these solutions and promoting a culture of cybersecurity awareness within your organisation, you can significantly reduce the risk of falling victim to phishing attacks.
