Phishing is the most common form of cybercrime worldwide, and in 2023, 81% of companies experienced an increase in phishing attacks.
As a small business owner, combatting cyber threats is always a major priority. It’s important to understand what security measures will work for your business and employ them as soon as possible.
Today, we’ll help you out by sharing some email security best practices for guarding against phishing attacks. Keep reading, and you’ll know how to protect yourself and your customers’ data in 2024.
1. Use Unique Passwords
One of the most important tools that every employee should employ is unique passwords for their email accounts. The stronger the passwords are, the less likely you’ll experience a major data breach.
Consider cycling through passwords every few months and/or using multi-factor authentication. Staying ahead of passwords will keep hackers on the back foot and keep your data safe.
2. Know What Malicious Emails Look Like
Human error is at the heart of at least 80% of data breaches. If your employees don’t know how to spot a phishing email, there’s a good chance your company will fall victim to one of them at some point.
It’s important to understand the common tactics that hackers use to get people to bite on a phishing attempt. Some hackers will claim that you’re already experiencing a security breach, while others will try to disguise themselves behind a legitimate organization.
Train your employees to recognize these emails and always question them before taking action. A bit of education will go a long way in preventing a major breach.
3. Ensure a Secure Internet Connection
You need an encrypted internet connection with a network key so that cybercriminals can’t gain access to it. You can also use firewalls, VPNs, and passwords to further secure the connection. The more secure your connection is, the safer your employees will be.
4. Don’t Open Suspicious Attachments from Unknown Sources
One of the ways that phishing attacks work is when employees open attachments. Under no circumstances should employees open attachments or click on links in emails from unknown origin.
Phishing attacks are getting more and more sophisticated in this regard. You may even see links and attachments that look like they’re from internal or friendly sources. They’re capable of creating carbon copies of websites that make links look legitimate.
5. Never Respond With Private Information
Lastly, never allow anyone to reply to an email with private company information. You should implement a thorough vetting process for all internal emails to ensure that you’re never divulging anything sensitive to outsiders who could harm your business.
This goes back to being able to recognize phishing emails when they appear. If your employees know what to look for, you’ll never have to worry about information being stolen.
Get Help With Email Security Best Practices
If you understand email security best practices, you can avoid major disruptions or data breaches. However, not every business can equip itself to defend against cyber attacks. If this describes you, hiring cybersecurity specialists can help you put the correct measures in place.
Pegasus Technologies is a managed IT company serving small businesses across Pennsylvania in a variety of industries. To learn how our services can help you avoid phishing attacks and other cyber threats, contact us today.
