Business owners must always keep a finger on the pulse of new online crime strategies. Cyber attacks that target organizations can have major consequences if you don't recognize the warning signs or take steps to protect yourself. Beware of SMTP smuggling, a new cybercrime technique, and learn how to stay safe online.
SMTP Smuggling: One of the Most Dangerous Emerging Cybercrime Methods
A tactic called SMTP smuggling is taking the average phishing attack to the next level. The threat focuses on vulnerabilities of SMTP, which stands for Simple Mail Transfer Protocol. Hackers can manipulate the outbound and inbound SMTP servers to get access to email messages.
Once they access the message, bad actors can alter it and send a deceptive email to targeted users. Normal security filters don't always flag these emails, making it easy for people to fall victim to the attack. You must beware of cyber threats to avoid giving out sensitive information.
Common Phishing and Cybersecurity Warning Signs
As a business owner, you want your team to beware of this new cybercrime technique and recognize a phishing attack. Staying vigilant will help you avoid major security breaches and the devastating financial loss that comes with them.
Below are some of the most common signs of a phishing attack that you should look for.
Messages Requesting Immediate Action
Hackers deceive people by sending emails impersonating trustworthy sources, such as representatives from a corporation or bank. Many of these emails urge users to click on a link or take action to update their account or payment information. The main purpose of this threat is to steal sensitive information from users.
Grammatical Errors and Typos
Look carefully at the contents of the email, and you'll likely notice some misspellings, particularly in the sender's address or included links. For example, the sender could use an email address like "Support@Gooogle.com" or "info@Netfl!x.com." At first glance, you might not catch the company names' misspellings and fall victim to the scam.
Suspicious Links and Attachments
You should always beware of cyber threats and emails with unusual links or attachments. Never click on them since they could contain malware. Report the email to an IT professional who can monitor the situation.
Text Communication
Phishing emails are common, but a growing trend among cybercriminals is sending deceptive text messages. Companies typically don't text account holders with links to update their information. If you receive a text that contains this message, it's likely a scam.
How To Protect Your Business From Cyber Threats
Keep an eye out for new cybercrime tactics alerts from industry professionals. Carefully read every email; if it appears suspicious, do not reply or click on any links or attachments. Other ways that you can stay safe from threats include:
- Installing security software
- Regularly backing up your data
- Using multi-factor authentication
- Toggling automatic software updates
Beware of this new cybercrime technique that sends highly targeted phishing emails to vulnerable users. Use the tips above to protect your business from new cyber threat techniques.
