Cybersecurity Awareness Month: Now That’s a Red Flag: Watch Out for Phish!

Did you know that one of the most common cyber attacks reported at the National CIRT originate from a phishing attempt that an unlucky victim fell for? This unfortunate fact reminds us why learning to recognise and report phishing attempts is critical.

Below we list five red flags to look out for as you become more sensitive to phishing attempts.

  1. A message tone that is urgent or makes you scared
    e.g. “Click this link immediately, or your account will be closed.”
  2. A sender’s email address domain that doesn’t match the company it is coming from e.g. amazon.com vs amaz0n.com
  3. Receiving an unexpected email, phone call, or text message
  4. Requests to send personal information
    Legitimate organisations should not request personal information through email or an unexpected call.
  5. Misspelled words, bad grammar, and odd URLs
    Be aware that artificial intelligence will make spotting these more challenging so be diligent!
Here’s What to Do if You Spot a Phish

DO NOT

  1. Don’t click any links.
  2. Don’t click any attachments you were not expecting or recognise.
  3. Don’t send personal info online or share over the phone.
DO

  1. Attempt to determine whether the communication is genuine and contact the sender directly through known phone numbers or email addresses.
  2. Report the phishing attempt to your information technology department or email/phone provider.
  3. Use email filtering tools or advocate for the same within your organisation. These can help prevent phishing attempts from ever reaching your mailbox.
  4. DELETE THE COMMUNICATION.

Understanding phishing red flags and taking appropriate action upon identifying them are vital steps in protecting both your personal data and your organisation’s information. By staying vigilant and informed, you can significantly reduce the risk of falling victim to phishing scams.

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