Is Your Email The Weakest Link? [Infographic]

Brian Wallace — July 13, 2019 Follow @nowsourcing

— July 13, 2019

Phishing by email is when attackers manipulate the receiver into opening a malicious file or link containing malware. Upon clicking on these files or links, the malware is automatically downloaded to the receiver’s device. Your information can also be compromised by malware, allowing spoofed websites access to collect your login credentials. Furthermore, phishing attacks are categorized into: credential harvesting, extortion, malware, and spear phishing.

1 in every 99 emails is a phishing attack, and in a 5 day work week, this amounts to nearly 5 phishing emails per employee. With 30% of phishing emails making it past default security, businesses could be receiving daily attacks and not know it. In fact, from 2013 to 2016, cyberattacks cost businesses over $ 5 billion worldwide and from 2016 to 2017, phishing attacks increased by 65%.

Although 83% of people have received phishing attacks, 64% of infosec professionals are targeted by spear phishing, and 35% of professionals don’t even know what “phishing” means. Today, a phishing attack on a midsize business can cost an average of $ 1.6 million. It is common for consumers to stop using a business following a security breach. Saying this, phishing can not only lead to a damaged business reputation, but also decreased productivity and a loss of proprietary data.

Workers tend to fall for fake content targeting them as consumers. The most successful phishing attack scenarios regard social, safety, retail, and office communication attempts. Hackers prey on trust, spoofing trusted brands such as Microsoft, Amazon, banking and finance companies, and shippers like DHL, FedEx, and UPS.

Email is the digital communication staple we rely on personally and professionally. This infographic outlines the risks and statistics revolving phishing, as well as tips on searching for a security platform. Secure email is the key to a secure business. Protect your email from becoming the weakest link.

Infographic source: Avanan

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