Disney, Virgin Media, Prudential Finance, BMW Hong Kong- What do these businesses have in common? They all have been the victims of cybercrime recently in July 2024 (cm-alliance.com). they are not the only ones! There are a gazillion other businesses and sectoral giants that are being impacted adversely due to some or the other kind of cybersecurity attack.
“35,900,145,035 known records breached so far in 9478 publicly disclosed incidents”
IT Governance Ltd.
Isn’t this an alarming situation when concerning the cybersecurity health status of businesses worldwide? This is the major trigger that massive businesses are rapidly moving towards adopting electronic mail security systems to guard against any malicious cyberthreat or attack. It is time to unravel the core beyond email security and how a cybersecurity expert be elemental in amplifying anti-risk and anti-theft scenarios across businesses.
Understanding Email Security:
Email security is the practice of ensuring that sensitive email communication is confidential, secure, and protected against potential cybersecurity threats. These are email-based cyberattacks and unwanted communications that span protecting inboxes from takeover, protecting domains from spoofing, stopping phishing attacks, preventing fraud, blocking malware delivery, filtering spam, and using encryption to protect the contents of emails from unauthorized persons.
“The Email Security Market size is projected to grow to USD 4.68 billion in 2024”
Fortune Business Insights
Types of Attacks Conducted via Emails:
• Phishing
Phishing scams use fraudulent emails, text messages, social media content, or websites to trick users into sharing credentials or downloading malware. These come in diverse forms:
o pear phishing- It directly targets an individual or an organization through a personalized email.
o Whale phishing- It targets high-level corporate officers with messages that attackers write meticulously to manipulate their recipients into giving up sensitive information. These can be in the form of emails, text messages, or phone calls.
•Malware
Sneaky software that infiltrates your computer without taking permission; wreaking havoc behind the scenes.
•Account takeover
As a cyber burglar, this one breaks into your email pool and uses your account to send spam, phishing emails, or snoop around your secrets.
•Email interception
This fraud takes the form of criminals stealing information such as email usernames and passwords. It enables the fraudster to gain access to your business email accounts allowing them to impersonate you and the business.
•Social engineering attacks
Popularly taken as a digital manipulation; the malicious attackers scare people into revealing confidential stuff. It is a psychological manipulation of people into compromising the security of their information.
•Email domain spoofing
It allows attackers to send messages from legitimate-seeming addresses; allowing attackers to send an email with a forged “from” address.
•Ransomware
The malicious software encrypts files and is designed to block access to access to a system until the victim pays a sum of money.
•Impersonation
A cybercriminal pretends to be a trusted sender to secure money or data.
Critical Role of Email Security:
“79% of account takeover attacks started with a phishing email”
Egress.com
Email security must be deployed in every business and organization as it protects against cyberattacks, reduces risk, and enhances compliance, and overall productivity. As cybersecurity incidents can have devastating consequences, including financial losses, operational disruptions, and damage to an organization’s reputation. This is why it is of prime importance to strengthen email security as part of the overall business security plan.
How are Email Attachments Used in Attacks?
By simply attaching the malicious software as an .exe file, and then tricking the recipient into opening the attachment. A common approach involves concealing malicious code within an innocent-seeming document such as a PDF or a Word file. Many ransomware infections in recent years have started with an email attachment; such as:
•Pyuk ransomware (enters a network through a TrickBot or Emotet infection)
•Maze ransomware (Gains a foothold within a victim’s network)
•Petya ransomware (Attacks usually start with an email attachment)
Users must be trained in the most contemporary skills via top cybersecurity certifications to counter any unforeseen cyber menace. Getting hands-on training on the latest cybersecurity skills is a must for every business and industry professional to make a legible difference toward greater security.
Benefits:
•Guard against phishing and spoofing attacks
•Secure data
•Encryption only to the people who must get the message
•Secret protection facilitation for safeguarding intellectual property rights, financial records, classified information, and beyond.
•Real-time protection as a real-time guardian
•Email encryption keeps the attackers at bay
How do Attackers Take Over Email Accounts?
As Forbes reveals with 4.48 billion email users worldwide, it is no wonder companies must deploy anti-cyberthreat systems and email security prodigies to safeguard their critical hard-earned business information and reputation. This is why attackers get enough room to infiltrate any number of online users and exploit their information for their malicious use. They can use several methods to break into an email account:
•Purchasing lists of previously stolen credentials
•Brute force attacks
•Phishing attacks
•Web browser infections
•Spyware
Quintessential Protocols:
1.Build a strong email security foundation
By designating all-encompassing effective email protection solutions, threat detection and reporting, and regular updates- businesses can easily build a robust security net against attackers.
2.Guard sensitive data
Implement policies to prevent users from accidentally emailing sensitive information to outsiders.
3.Train your employees
Educate and train your teams of professionals to become the best cybersecurity specialists with the best cybersecurity certification programs. This way, they can foresee and make amendments to safeguard your data against any cyber infiltration.
4.Message Encryption
This seals the messages sent on encrypted emails as an enchanted envelope. Only the intended recipients can unlock the information inside.
5.Layered Defenses
Multi-layer authentication systems must be deployed to guard against attacks.
6.Stay ahead
Regularly update your email security solutions to stay ahead of the cyber attackers.
7.Ensure a secure email gateway
This is an email security product that uses analysis and machine learning to protect and block phishing or scam emails.
Nipping these attacks in the bud is the way to go! Make way for an elevated space to master the core nuances of futuristic cybersecurity skills and become an expert with the best credentials gracing your portfolio. Begin exploring now to serve to your best capabilities and earn big!