In recent years, cyber crime has risen and swept through remote workforces. Given the popularity of the hybrid model, it’s not likely to die down anytime soon. Being cyber security-conscious is no longer a choice, but a requirement.
What is a phishing attack?
Phishing is a type of cyber attack where an attacker poses as a legitimate party or correspondent to trick their victim into revealing sensitive information or installing malicious software onto their device. Phishing is the most common form of cyber crime and many organisations don’t understand how to recover from an attack. This is especially poignant for Irish businesses considering they report a 14% higher than global average level of phishing attacks.
To understand more about the different types of phishing attacks and how to keep your business protected, check out our previous blog, The Types of Phishing You Should Know About. Additionally, for further security content on staying safe from ransomware, check out another of our previous blogs, Discover How to Protect Yourself from Ransomware with these Vital Steps.
Steps to take following an attack
A team is only as strong as its weakest player and so it’s vital to ensure that your employees know the right actions to take following an attack or data breach – should one ever arise. Below, we have outlined how to recover from phishing attacks, including the steps you need to take following a breach.
– Disconnect your device
The first step to take if you fall victim to an attack is to disconnect your device from the Internet. This will reduce the risk of malware propagating throughout your network and onto your other devices. Simply unplug your device if you’re connected via a wired connection or turn off your Wi-Fi router so your device is removed from the network.
– Change your credentials
Next, change your passwords and credentials. This is a simple and easy way to ensure that hackers can’t use your personal details to access additional accounts and information. If you wish to add an extra layer of security, you can complete a company-wide password and credential reset – just to be on the safe side!
– Backup your data
Following an attack, it’s crucial to backup all your information in the unfortunate case that data is lost during the recovery process. If any data is lost, or if any future attacks occur, having a backup will ensure you’ll still be able to access your data.
– Scan your device for malware
Scanning your device for malware can help prevent any future attacks from occurring – and installing antivirus software to do this is simple! With the click of a button, you can run a complete scan of devices, files and applications to detect and remove any malicious malware that may lurk in the dark corners of your software.
– Learn from the mistake
One of the best ways to prevent falling for another attack is to learn from the mistake. You should educate yourself and your employees on the latest preventative techniques, install tighter security solutions such as multi-factor authentication and be security-conscious when sharing information. With a cyber-security conscious Managed Service Provider such as BITS, you’ll receive Cyber Security Awareness Training so that you and your employees are equipped with the knowledge of how to avoid phishing attacks. This will mean your team can protect your business and prevent breaches by being aware of what to look out for in a phishing attack. For example, certain red flags to be aware of are:
- Urgent demands for personal and sensitive information
- Grammatical errors and spelling mistakes
- A suspicious signoff and greeting
- A questionable tone and unprecedented requests
Stay protected with BITS
In the modern digital age, it’s paramount that you’re security conscious and understand how to recover from phishing attacks. Yet, it’s also important to ensure you have the right protective solutions in place to prevent an attack from ever happening.
With Security Management Solutions from BITS, your business will be fortified against all types of cybercrime. With our cyber security specialists protecting your business, you can focus all your attention on running it effectively. To ensure the safety of your data, book a meeting with one of our cybersecurity experts and start fortifying your business from cybercrime, today.