What is Phishing? These are the Facts You should know in 2021

Almost all of us know someone who has had personal data and information stolen on the internet. In the digital world, too, we can speak of theft, which is not infrequently associated with far-reaching consequences for the person or company who has been robbed. Data protection mishaps and changing passwords are only two of the IT security measures that this target group must be prepared for.

Due to such real problems, it is important to take proactive measures against digital data theft. In our article, we explain how you can protect yourself privately as well as in your company and what means are available for this. We also look at the most common methods to identify gaps in IT security. With this basic knowledge about phishing, you will be able to actively combat digital data theft in the future. NIST has compiled a few current examples of phising attacks.

How can you protect Yourself against Phishing?

Phishing is best described as the acquisition of personal data. Strangers illegally obtain passwords, user names and information that should remain secret from third parties. This information is often used for blackmail or resale. This can have serious consequences for you as a person or your company. Even the smallest piece of information is enough to cause further damage.

Fortunately, there are already modern IT security methods that make phishing more difficult for attackers. Here we would like to introduce you to the penetration test, awareness training and red teaming. These things can help you defend yourself against phishing. In the event of blackmail, you will save money and possible damages to your customers. These measures can also reduce the chance of a self-disclosure due to a data breach. Microsoft also offers tips on how to protect yourself from phishing.

Penetration Testing and Red Teaming

The so-called penetration test (short: pentest) is a comprehensive security test in which a user's computer is checked for all security vulnerabilities. A penetration test is particularly useful in companies with many employees and their own servers. The entire network is subjected to checks by IT experts who secure the most frequent attack and vulnerabilities. With the help of current standards in IT security, backdoors can be closed and possible errors can be corrected.

Another method to secure one's own network is Red Teaming. Here, a team of consultants and experts is formed to symbolise a group of attackers. From the point of view of an unauthorised third party, they try to gain access to your data. The security gaps exploited in the process can then be identified and remedied. Red Teaming is suitable for both companies and private individuals with their own computer.

Awareness Campaigns for Employees

The best IT security check is useless if the employees, as the last resort, are ignorant of the attacker. An attachment in an e-mail is enough to open the door to a virus for phishing. For this reason, we recommend awareness training for your employees. In these, we discuss with your team, among other things, which things are important in the secure handling of attachments. General tips and tricks are also taught so that your employees develop a heightened security awareness when dealing with data. The rapid7 provides an introduction to the topic.

Such an awareness campaign is ideal to make employees with a manageable technical background aware of the opportunities and dangers of the digital world. In this training, we specifically address IT security as well as phishing. With the security assessment gained, you can minimise the risk of a cyber attack in your company. A securely positioned company also has a deterrent effect on potential attackers.

Conclusion: Protection in the Digital World is Indispensable

Especially in recent years, IT security has gained more and more attention. Not least home offices, outdated server networks and untrained staff are decisive factors for attackers achieving daily success with phishing. Due to the broad attack surface, from individual companies to SMEs to corporations, no one is exempt. The modern CEO has a moral responsibility to make an effort to close security gaps.

In our experience, penetration tests and red teaming are excellent first measures to bring a company up to the digital status quo. This is followed by awareness training and continuous security audits by external experts. These can neutrally assess which weak points a company's IT security has. Therefore, opt for awareness training in your company to make internal and external communication secure for your employees. Last but not least, this will raise your security awareness to a new level.