Phishing attacks have been a pressing issue due to their success rate. Antivirus tools /anti-virus software can identify known threats and contain them, however, when using social engineering tactics, like pushing or spear-phishing attacks, malware can bypass anti-virus technologies and it can take hours for antivirus technology vendors to know new attacks and array updates. Moreover, when deploying patches and it can take days for customers to download and install the updates.
1. Phishing Attacks can Target You By Sms, Whatsapp, Skype or Social Media
Phishing attacks have a lot of forms that cybercriminals use to reach their goals. When you click on a link in SMS, Whatsapp, Skype, or post on your social media account or in a direct message from a fake sender, you can download malicious contents that are not known to your antivirus service. Or if it is a known threat, many users still do not use anti-virus tools for other means except for emails.
2. Anti-virus software cannot block unknown virus and malware
Viruses and the malware change and adapt, and therefore, 100% protection isn’t possible. Today, a lot of modern anti-virus programs can detect some malware or virus but cannot prevent them. Antivirus applications function similarly: they list verified malware signatures to flag known-malware immediately.
3. Cyber Attackers Use Social Engineering Tactics
Technical anti-phishing solutions are not enough to prevent phishing attacks occurring. Any company can fall victim to phishing attacks since cyber attackers use social engineering techniques to manipulate their employees into handing over the information they seek. The people factor is in place and the cyber attackers might be well prepared for the weaknesses of employees.
Especially when attackers employ spear-phishing attacks, a specific method of email-based crime or social engineering attack, they study their targets to construct thoughtfully-designed relations. To do so, they oftentimes portray themselves as a trusted partner, entity or business, and criminals easily bypass traditional email security, such as gateways and spam filters. Spear-phishing attacks are frequently sent from high-reputation domains or the hijacked email accounts. Spear phishing attacks do not regularly carry malicious URLs or attachments, and most popular email-security routines rely on blacklists and reputation analysis, these attacks bypass them easily.
4. The Best Option for Phishing Security
Use phishing simulation tools to test your employee’s behaviour and improve their skills at recognising phishing attacks. Because if your anti-virus software cannot prevent these attacks from happening, the best way is to equip your employees and get them ready against these attacks. A phishing simulation software can train individuals against “cyber attacks that may come through email and helps individuals to be one step ahead of threats”.
When your employees are exposed to a phishing test process, your company’s cybersecurity awareness efforts will be maximised. Therefore, phishing simulation is an excellent part of your cybersecurity awareness training program, especially fighting against phishing attacks. It is easy to deliver simulated phishing emails and customise phishing email templates or generate phishing URL to phish test employees.
5- Get Cybersecurity Awareness Training Programs
Find out a cybersecurity awareness training solution that uses engaging, learning elements to empower individuals and organizations to become defenders against cyberthreats. Your employees must learn how not to get hacked, which makes them the first line of defence against today’s increasingly sophisticated email-based attacks or email security risks.
