SPYMASTER’s Post

How to Avoid Being Hacked Through Email Email is a powerful communication tool, but it can also be a target for hackers. Here are some easy steps you can take to protect yourself from email-related threats: 1. Be Careful with Unknown Emails Don’t open emails from unknown senders or click on suspicious links. Hackers often pretend to be trusted companies or people to trick you. 2. Watch for Phishing Scams Phishing emails look like official messages but try to steal your information. Always check the URL before clicking and never share personal details via email. 3. Use Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) Enable 2FA on your email accounts. Even if someone guesses your password, 2FA adds an extra layer of protection. 4. Create Strong, Unique Passwords Use strong, unique passwords for every account. Avoid using the same password across different sites. 5. Keep Your Software Updated Regular updates fix security flaws. Make sure your email, apps, and antivirus are always up to date. 6. Don’t Open Suspicious Attachments Attachments in unknown emails can contain malware. Only open attachments from trusted sources. 7. Avoid Public Wi-Fi for Sensitive Emails Public Wi-Fi is less secure. If you must use it, use a VPN to protect your emails from being intercepted. 8. Check for Unusual Activity If you see unusual activity in your email account, like strange messages or logins, change your password immediately. 9. Be Aware of Social Engineering Hackers may try to trick you into revealing information by pretending to be someone you know. Always verify requests through other channels. 10. Use Email Encryption For sensitive information, use email encryption to keep your messages secure.

Phishing scams using Macros: Are you clued in? You receive an email. It drives to a website you think is legit (it's not). There you are presented with an important document you care about with blurred content that requires you to "Enable Content" within the document that launched a marco to exploit their system. Here's a breakdown of what it looks like and how to prevent it: Deceptive Email: Victims received an email purportedly from a company or government entity, prompting them to review an important document. While such emails are common, an email like this can contain a malicious link disguised as a legitimate corporate or government URL. Unsuspecting Click: Without verifying the hyperlink, victims clicked through, leading them to a fraudulent website. From there, they were prompted to enable content in a blurred document, unknowingly granting access to their system. Exploited System: Enabling content allowed the execution of malicious macros, giving attackers full control over the victim's workstation. With this access, sensitive information could be compromised, as demonstrated by the retrieval of stored passwords. To prevent falling victim to such attacks: Verify Links: Always hover over links in emails to confirm their legitimacy before clicking. Discrepancies in URLs can signal phishing attempts. Exercise Caution with Macros: Be cautious when enabling content or macros in documents, particularly if it seems unnecessary. Enabling content can activate malicious code, compromising your system's security. Follow Security Protocols: Adhere to your organization's security policies and report any suspicious emails or activities promptly. Vigilance and adherence to protocols are crucial defenses against phishing attacks. #Cybersecurity #PhishingPrevention

Email Security Tips from a Cyber-security Expert 1. Implement MFA: This factor is very recommended over basic 2FA since it relies upon more sophisticated methods of identity verification, like those which include bio-metric or authentication apps, that are way more difficult for attackers to circumvent. 2. Use Complex Passwords and Update Regularly: Do not use any password used earlier or simple passwords. Instead, these should be at least 12-16 characters long with a mixture of symbols, numbers, and upper/lowercase letters. 3. Watch out for Phishing: Most cyber criminals will send emails with faked services, which users would normally trust. Be watchful: at all times, verify email addresses, links, and attachments before clicking or downloading anything. 4. Set Up Security Alerts: Establish suspicious login-related activities alerts. These are the real-time notifications that you want to identify and disrupt unauthorized access quickly. 5. Avail Yourself of Encrypted Communication: Give incentives for highly sensitive information, worth considering toward using encrypted email services or tools to help protect such data in transit. 6. Disable the Auto-Download of Attachments: Avoid malware infection by disabling the automatic download of attachments and opening the files from authenticated senders only. 7. Periodic Reviewing of Account Access Settings: Periodically check your e-mail account access permissions and revoke the third-party access that is not needed. 8. Limit Email Access via Public Wi-Fi: Public networks are high-risk. In case of need, connect via a secure VPN. 9. Educate yourself about new threats. Cyber attacks continuously change their methodology; knowing recent threats will help adjust and fortify your security. By taking these steps, you reduce risks and develop a secure email environment resistant to cyber threats. #EmailSecurity #CyberSecurityTips #PhishingPrevention #DataProtection #StaySafeOnline

Get to know this very simple rule to avoid falling into phishing scams and social engineering, which consists of 3 elements: S: Sender. No matter if it seems to be sent from a legitimate sender, someone could have impersonated or stolen your credentials, so check the sender carefully. If it's not an expected email, do not open it. A: Attachments. If the message has an attachment, especially if it ends in .html, .pdf, or .exe, be suspicious. These can be used to spread malware on your computer or redirect you to a website where you will be asked for credentials to steal your data. L: Links. The links in these emails generally redirect to cloned or impersonated websites, or upon entering, they download malware files, so it is recommended not to click on these links, but if in doubt, right-click, copy the link, and paste it into a text file to see where it leads. Share this information with your contacts and workgroup. 3+ Security is your ally in private security information.

Uh oh. A new phishing kit is targeting people who use Gmail and Microsoft email accounts. Phishing is like a fishing trip by criminals. But instead of fish, the catch of the day is your sensitive information - passwords, credit card numbers, you name it. How? By tricking you into handing it over, usually through a fake email or website that looks legit yet is anything but. Scarily, phishing has its own toolkit. It's like a cyber criminal's Swiss Army knife, packed with all the tricks and tools they need to reel you in. And this latest one - Tycoon 2FA - is the latest addition to their arsenal. This bad boy isn't your run-of-the-mill phishing kit either. It's next-level stuff. According to cyber security experts, Tycoon 2FA is constantly evolving to evade detection. It's got more than 1,100 domains up its sleeve and has been used in thousands of phishing attacks already. But here's where things get really scary: Tycoon 2FA can even bypass two-factor authentication (2FA) where you generate a login code on a different device. The bad guys are getting smarter. And the answer to this is a security review to make sure 1) you have the software protection, and 2) your team is trained to stay vigilant, stay informed, and always think twice before clicking any link or entering your login details. My team and I keep businesses round here safe. Get in touch if you want us to check how secure your business is. https://lnkd.in/eUPHsRRp

𝗠𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘆𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗺’𝘀 𝗕𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵: 𝗔 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿𝗸 𝗥𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗠𝗼𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗻 𝗔𝘁𝘁𝗮𝗰𝗸𝘀 𝗗𝗲𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗠𝗼𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗻 𝗠𝗙𝗔: 𝗠𝗙𝗔 𝟮.𝟬 🛡️ MoneyGram recently fell victim to a classic social engineering attack, with hackers gaining access to the network using an employee’s credentials. It’s a textbook case of how today’s attacks don’t rely on brute force—they’re all about phishing and social engineering. Even with MFA 1.0 (using SMS, OTPs, and PUSH), attackers can easily exploit gaps, retrieve passwords, or bypass tokens. 𝗠𝗙𝗔 𝟭.𝟬 𝗶𝘀 𝗻𝗼 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗺𝗼𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝘀. 𝗠𝗙𝗔 𝟮.𝟬 completely eliminates the risk of phishing and social engineering, making it a phish-proof MFA solution because 𝗻𝗼 𝗽𝗮𝘀𝘀𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗱𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗻𝗼 𝘁𝗼𝗸𝗲𝗻𝘀, 𝗺𝗲𝗮𝗻𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝗽𝗵𝗶𝘀𝗵. You get true phishproof security that doesn’t just react—it 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗮𝗰𝗸𝘀 from ever happening. In a landscape where phishing techniques evolve - through convincing emails, credible-looking websites, and even low-cost phishing kits available by subscription-MFA 1.0 can’t protect you anymore. You need MFA 2.0 because it's not just about adding layers of security—it’s about 𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗲𝗮𝗸𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗹𝘆. It leaves 𝗻𝗼 𝗿𝗼𝗼𝗺 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗵𝘂𝗺𝗮𝗻 𝗲𝗿𝗿𝗼𝗿𝘀—no passwords to steal, no tokens to trick, no loopholes for attackers to slip through. When the old solutions fail, it’s time to upgrade. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/gs4Gqu72 #Cybersecurity #MFA2_0 #Phishproof #MoneyGram ==================================================   #AuthN by IDEE protects against all credential #phishing and #password-based attacks (including #AiTM). Passwordless, Same-Device, MFA 2.0. getidee.com

A question often asked is why do passwords have to be changed so often and be so complex? "Well here's a litte story of how my life got turned upside down.." Just kidding that's the intro song to the show Fresh Prince. However here are the reasons below to keep your life from getting turned upside down: * Brute Force Attacks: Hackers use automated tools to try guessing passwords. Longer and more complex passwords make it harder for these tools to crack your password. * Password Cracking Techniques: Hackers use various techniques to crack passwords, including dictionary attacks and rainbow tables. Strong, unique passwords are more resistant to these attacks. What can you do to make password management easier? * Use a Password Manager: A password manager generates strong, unique passwords for each of your accounts and stores them securely. This eliminates the need to remember complex passwords. * Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): 2FA adds an extra layer of security by requiring a second form of verification, such as a code sent to your phone, in addition to your password. * Be Cautious Online: Avoid clicking on suspicious links, downloading files from unknown sources, and sharing personal information on social media. By following these guidelines, you can significantly improve your online security and protect your sensitive information. * https://lnkd.in/eMD-aC8J *https://lnkd.in/edfcsTwm

🚨 **Beware of Phishing Emails!** 🚨 In today's digital age, phishing emails have become a common threat to both individuals and businesses. These deceptive messages often appear to be from legitimate sources, tricking you into revealing sensitive information. Here are some tips to protect yourself: 1. **Verify the Sender**: Always check the sender's email address. Phishing emails often use addresses that mimic legitimate ones. 2. **Look for Red Flags**: Be cautious of emails with urgent requests, poor grammar, or unfamiliar links. 3. **Don't Click Suspicious Links**: Hover over links to see the actual URL before clicking. If it seems off, don't proceed. 4. **Secure Your Information**: Never share personal or financial information via email. 5. **Use Email Protection**: Implement email security solutions, like Ironscales, to detect and prevent phishing attempts. 6. **Stay Informed**: Regularly update yourself and your team with cybersecurity training. By staying vigilant and informed, you can protect yourself from falling victim to phishing scams. If you're ever in doubt, contact your IT support team for advice. Stay safe online! 🛡️

We’re not here to add another long lecture about phishing. There are enough companies doing that. But here’s the thing: Spotting a suspicious email or link is often your front-line defence against potential security breaches. For your team (and your family), here’s the simplest advice: 𝗗𝗢𝗡’𝗧 𝗖𝗟𝗜𝗖𝗞 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗟𝗜𝗡𝗞. And to back that up, here are a few tricks to keep in your back pocket: 𝟭. 𝗗𝗼𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗲-𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗰𝗸 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿’𝘀 𝗲𝗺𝗮𝗶𝗹 𝗮𝗱𝗱𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀 — 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘆 𝗻𝗮𝗺𝗲. If you’re seeing “Amazon Support” in the name but it’s coming from a Gmail account, that’s an obvious red flag. 𝟮. 𝗗𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺? Say you get an email from “your boss” at 2am, littered with typos and odd phrasing. If that’s out of character, trust your instincts. 𝟯. 𝗛𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗰𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴. Hover over the link or copy and paste it into a browser, checking if it leads where it should. If it feels off, it probably is. 𝟰. 𝗢𝗻𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗶𝗳 𝗶𝘁’𝘀 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗵 𝗶𝘁. If everything checks out and it would be useful to bring up the webpage, visit it directly from the browser instead. If it is not useful, delete. It’s about staying sharp without the hassle. After all, your time’s better spent on what matters, not on dodging cyber threats. Ready to secure the whole house, not just the front door? Let’s talk about how ThunderLabs can help you manage risk and close the gaps across your organisation.

There is a new phishing technique being used involving Microsoft Word that you may want to know about. Threat actors are sending corrupted Word files that evade security detection tools because the tools don't identify them as a proper Word document. Link: https://lnkd.in/gsUnMFgc Once the recipient opens the file, their Word software asks them if they want to recover the file, then when they do, they will typically see a QR code. This QR code takes them to a phishing site that looks like a Microsoft login page. If the user enters their valid credentials, the threat actor has them. While this is a creative approach to obtain someone's credentials, well-trained users can probably avoid this type of thing, because they'll know not to open an attachment or click a link unless they know the sender is valid. You can tell the sender is valid by checking the From: line and looking at the email address to make sure it is what it should be. When in doubt, don't open or click the link. If you think it's important, but you're not sure if it's valid, you can always contact the sender through alternate means to verify whether it is legitimate or not. #cybersecurity #phishing #awareness