Why you need to review your emails before clicking on the contents

Emailing is one of the largest forms of communication. Think about it, how many times a day do you respond to an email? Whether it is a request for information or asking to pay an invoice almost all of us use email on a daily bases. However, it is important to make sure you are paying attention to the emails in your inbox, especially when opening a link or replying to an email.

Business Email Compromise (BEC) is on the rise and it might sound like something that only happens to bug corporations, but that's not the case. According to the FBI small and medium-sized businesses are just as vulnerable to BEC attacks as larger ones. In fact, these attacks have cost businesses more than $26 billion over the past few years. With the advancement of AI, these attacks are also becoming more destructive and harder to detect.

How to protect your business from BEC attacks:

1. Educate your employees on how to spot phishing emails and suspicious requests. Employees are your first line of defense so it is important to train them on best practices and how to set up multi-factor authentication and secure file sharing.

2. Use advanced email security solutions that protect against AI. It is also important to look for an email provider that offers protection features such as implementing domain records that quarantine any suspicious emails.

3. Set up transaction verification procedures that incorporate a confirmation request before transferring funds or sensitive information, such as a phone call or face-to-face meeting.

4. Monitoring your email traffic is important to catch any anomalies or unusual patterns. Look for signs like unknown senders, unusual login locations, or any unexpected emails.

5. Keep your software up to date. This ensures that you're always running the latest version of your operating system, email software, and other software applications. Updates also often include vital security patches that address known vulnerabilities.

With BEC attacks being more common and sophisticated it is important you and your staff are equipped with the right training and security solutions to protect your business. Give us a call today to find out how we can help you protect your business from cyber threats.