What is Spear Phishing and How to Stay Protected

What is spear phishing?

What is Spear Phishing and How to Stay Protected

Spear phishing is like phishing but even more deceptive. Attackers will usually research the organization or user and find information that’s specific to their networks. From employee or contractor names to forged invoices and letterheads, these details dupe individuals into sharing private information, clicking links that they shouldn’t, and text/instant messaging with attackers posing as team members.

By deepening the connection with familiar information, spear phishing scams are harder to catch and easier to fall into. So, how do you stay protected from spear phishing?

The best protection is preventative security measures that help to keep threats out.

How to Protect from Spear Phishing

Change your passwords often.

We know how difficult it can be to remember passwords. It can be tempting to add “123…” and rotate your old passwords with simple changes, but creating a more robust password-changing schedule is an easy and effective way to keep predators at bay. This is especially true for employees as they work remotely or use networks that are directly connected to business files and applications.

Use two-factor authentication (or multi-factor authentication) whenever possible.

That extra step can make or break your security infrastructure. Be sure to implement multifactor authentication to create barriers to accessing your network. This technique will alert you through your chosen method of authentication if someone tries to access your data via login information.

Get informed.

2021 is still seeing huge volumes of threats, new and evolving. Staying educated on the latest and most relevant security news is more important than ever as we continue to work remotely and in hybrid environments. Disseminating this information across your network/team is the best way to build safety and security.

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