A Guide to Phishing

I came across this Phishing Guide –  “A Modern Guide to an Age-Old Problem” by Duo Security (now a part of Cisco.

It’s notable given the number of outbound contacts we make at RAVEN5 that Phishing is always a concern. As a Sweepstakes and Contest Marketing Agency, we are continually sending outbound links from email marketing and social media campaigns as are our clients, as such, building and ensuring trust with our lists and followings is critical to the success of our Sweepstakes Marketing and Contest Marketing programs.

In many ways we attempt to ensure that we are consistent with the offerings in terms of creative, logo use and implementation of the creative. In that way, our clientele and consumers can easily spot our real marketing efforts verses the phishing efforts of an illegitimate enterprise. We have all seen these criminals in action, at the door, on the telephone, via email, via social media, in fact Phishing is occurring at every touch point for consumers. This guide will assist you and your consumers in detecting and protecting yourselves from these criminals.

Phishing is highlighted as a low-effort successful method for attackers seeking unauthorized access to your organization’s data (I’d also add YOUR DATA). The guide outlines what information is targeted by criminal enterprises, listed as follows:

• Usernames & Passwords
• Email Addresses of customers, colleagues, family and friends
• Personally identifiable information
• Confidential Company Information
• Financial Data
• Phone Numbers
• Media records or health insurance information

Keep in mind they want the basics: your name, email, address, passwords, banking information, friends and family, medical records, purchase behaviours, etc.

The Phishing Guide outlines different Phishing methods, provides information for protection against Phishing, things to look out for, as well as information on who is being targeted in general. I’m sure you won’t be surprised that 42% of Phishing attacks are in the payment services area, after all this is all about theft.

I would highly recommend that you share this guide with friends and family, and provide some explanation for those who need some coaching and additional information. I’ve been fooled and I work in this sector of digital, so it’s not surprising to me that on any given day, at any given time anyone of us for that ONE BRIEF MOMENT can be tricked, so diligence is always recommended.

Protecting yourself and your family has never been more important, Phishing isn’t what it used to be!

 

Michael Bickerton, RAVEN5 Ltd, Oakville, Ontario, December 2019

Sources:
Phishing: A Modern Guide to an Age-Old Problem (free download)
The Ultimate Guide to Phishing
What is Phishing?

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