The use of emails has always been increasing ever since its inception in the 1960s. Business communication, circulation of academic information, conveying personal information – almost everything is passed on between individuals or organizations via emails mainly for either or all of the following reasons:
Emails are faster.
Emails are reliable.
Emails ensure that the information reaches the end recipient and, if not, notifies the sender about it.
There is no scope of data loss with emails.
Emails are an excellent means of recording information chronologically.
On the surface, there is nothing to be concerned about in email communication. The accounts of both the sender and the receiver are self-operated and locked by passwords which only both of these parties know. However, with the advancement of useful technology occurs an equal (if not higher) rise in technology which brings vicious attackers and hackers into the picture.
What Is Phishing?
Phishing attacks are just like fishing in a river where a person tries to get hold of a fish by giving it a believable bait of a bread crumb or any similar bit of food. However, in phishing attacks, the fishes are the netizens, and the fishermen are the cyber attackers. Phishing attacks are most commonly circulated via email messages. In such attacks, an unexpected mail from a seemingly credible source asks the receiver to take specific immediate action (such as paying unpaid dues or claiming a reward) by clicking on an attached link or downloading a file. But these are impersonating emails taking the user to fake websites created by the attacker. And often, these install malware into the computers of users. These attacks also happen in other forms like through voice messages (Vishing), SMS frauds (Smishing), attacks targeting the big shots of an organization from whom the profits can be maximum (Whaling) or creating a replica of a website to win the trust of an unsuspecting user (Pharming).
What Is Malware?
Malware is another means used by attackers to install corrupt files and software into the computer systems of users without their permission or against their will. Often malware operates secretly and steals the private information of users without their knowledge. This information is then accessed by the attacker who either uses the data to blackmail the victim, launch a sextortion campaign, or sell the stolen details at a high price in the dark market. Its types include:
Ransomware – which locks the system of the user or encrypts files until the demanded ransom is paid.
Spyware – which launches spying software into the computer and steals data.
Scareware – which attempts to extract user information by instilling fear in them.
Adware – where malware gets downloaded via attacker-created fake advertisements.
What Is Email Security?
Email security is the process of shielding email accounts from the attacks of vicious hackers. It refers to the means employed by a user, an organization, or an information network to keep themselves secure from these phishing attempts and malware attacks.
How To Ensure Email Security?
Email security can never be a fool-proof plan as the attackers always manage to find some loophole even in the most sophisticated methods of protection. However, minimizing such attacks is the objective, and this can be achieved by adopting the following measures:
Setting strong passwords: Strong passwords with alphanumeric characters and symbols are highly recommended. It’s always more important to have secure passwords instead of easy to remember passwords.
Changing passwords from time to time: Using the same password for too long makes you more vulnerable to hacking attempts of attackers. Hence it is always advisable to change passwords from time to time. Also, having different passwords for different accounts is a smarter decision than otherwise.
Having a good antivirus installed: Antivirus software creates a layer of protection against all types of viruses and malware trying to attack your devices. It is a must to have an antivirus when you visit multiple websites on the Internet or install external devices and disks into your computer.
Having anti-spam filters: Anti-spam filters ensure that spam emails or messages do not show up in your mailbox, thus protecting your system from the malicious emails sent by attackers. It also saves you a lot of time and energy that gets wasted otherwise in opening those emails.
Using only updated software: Software developers update software from time to time to incorporate patches and other improvements to make the software secure and more efficient. Not updating one’s software to the latest version is sending an invitation to attackers to steal your files.
Being wise on the web: With everything said and done, the most frugal tip remaining is to be careful on the Internet. One must have a skeptical mind and halt before impulsively clicking on links and pop-ups. A click takes hardly a second, but often its after-effects cost millions of dollars!
Since one cannot do away with emails, one needs to find ways and means of doing away with the threats to email security. Protecting yourselves on the web is not easy but also not unachievable. Taking specific preventive measures goes a long way in keeping attackers and malware away.
The best action against cybercriminals is knowing how they operate and carry out malicious activities. This weekly cybersecurity bulletin brings the top cybersecurity news worldwide, covering ransomware attacks against Ukraine, Black Axe cybercriminals behind bars, the Alchemist malware, crypto stealing Solana update campaign, exposed financial information, and unofficial WhatsApp stealing accounts. Let us see how threat actors are using these attacks so you can stay safe.
Microsoft Exchange Server has two unpatched zero day vulnerabilities that allow threat actors to execute code remotely and forge server-side requests. This text shares the details of the 0-day vulnerabilities, how they came to light, how the attack method works, how Microsoft is handling the security patches, and what you can do to protect yourself from the Microsoft Exchange Server vulnerabilities.
A malicious campaign targeting Slovakian internet users is another grim reminder of how phishing operators use legitimate brands and services to evade security controls. The article discusses how attackers used a trusted domain like LinkedIn to bypass secure email gateways.
As evident from the recent Okta, Microsoft, and Twitter breaches, young hackers with sophisticated tools and plenty of time can persuade even the most aware employees into making cybersecurity mistakes. Another such attack came to light recently that targeted Uber, the ride-hailing and food delivery app.
Cybersecurity has become a constant learning curve, and individuals need cybersecurity awareness to stay protected from the latest cyber attacks and threats to digital lives. Positive and Negative, this week’s cybersecurity bulletin combines both ends as it brings the top cybersecurity news of the past week.
Volexity’s cybersecurity researchers have revealed mass exploitation of Zimbra Collaboration’s mail server due to a zero-day vulnerability with the previously discovered RCE exploit. Here is how the Zimba hack took place, how many were affected worldwide, how the Zimba hack works, and how you can keep yourself safe.
Microsoft has discovered a PSOA, a cyber mercenary organization with sophisticated hiring tools that can allow threat actors to exploit Windows and Adobe vulnerabilities for malicious activities. This article looks at KNOTWEED, the identified threat, what it is, how KNOTWEED works, and how you can identify and protect yourself from KNOTWEED.(more…)
Cybersecurity incidents have increased significantly; therefore, regulatory bodies are working religiously towards releasing patches on time. This week’s cyber news headlines cover some of the important developments that have taken place over the last week.
Email scams continue to pose significant risks to online data, finances, and accounts. This article discusses the elements involved, the top email scams of the year, and the practices that cybercriminals are using for evolved email scams. It also shares key statistics for email and phishing scams and how to avoid all email scams.
In 193 AD, the royal guard killed the Roman emperor. Thenthe empire was auctioned off to one Didius Julianus in 193 AD. Julianus had paid somewhere around $1 billion in today’s money. Unfortunately, the guards had scammed Julianus by selling something that didn’t belong to them. Julianus was emperor for a few weeks before he was overthrown.(more…)
Data privacy and protection are probably 2 of your biggest concerns when running a business only.
So we’re going to talk about 11 ways you can do to protect user data, the difference between data privacy and protection, data protection laws, and other important information you should know about online safety.
Technology conglomerate Cisco suffered a significant vulnerability. The latest Cisco vulnerability, discovered on June 6, 2022, allowed cybercriminals to crash the Cisco Secure Email appliances remotely via the usage of malicious email messages.
The Cisco high-profilevulnerability, the CVE-2022-20798, could allow cybercriminals to cut the affected device from management interfaces, rendering them unreachable and causing a DoS (Denial of Service). Let us look at the Cisco vulnerability that has caused a serious commotion.
Microsoft is an organization that provides services across the globe, with over 1.4 billion existing users. With many such users and a huge array of services being provided, there is a high chance of security issues. The zero-day vulnerability that cyber attackers nicknamed “DogWalk” has become an enormous concern for Microsoft as there is no official patch available for it yet, and the extent of compromise using the vulnerability is unclear. (more…)
There is a critical issue with Atlassian in the form of a remote execution code, a vulnerability that is impacting the Confluence Server and Data Center. The flaw, referred to as the CVE-2022-26134, was first discovered by Australia’s Volexity.
According to Paul Maddinson, NCSC director of national resilience and strategy, the new Email Security Check tool aims to assist users in discovering where they can do more to avoid spoofing and preserve privacy and provide practical advice on how to stay safe. Moreover, by implementing the recommended activities, organizations may strengthen their defenses, demonstrate that they are taking security seriously, and make life more difficult for cyber thieves.
With cybercrime estimated to cost the world $10.5 trillion per year by 2025, up from $3 trillion a decade ago and $6 trillion in 2021, the security landscape requires a boost. Thus, Microsoft has announced the expansion of its existing service capabilities under a new service category called Microsoft Security Experts. (more…)
The risk of personal data getting misused has become more and more at risk with each passing day. Health reports can be divulged, financial details can be stolen, and contact information can be taken advantage of by marketers. These are just some of the ways people’s online information can be jeopardized. (more…)
The Microsoft Exchange Server is the software with the highest vulnerabilities in 2021. The revelation by CISA (Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency) was published on the 27th and co-authored by the cybersecurity authorities of Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the UK, and the US.
In recent years, advancements in technology have completely altered the ways in which we live our lives. We can now connect to anyone, anywhere, instantly. We can purchase any product that we want without even leaving the comfort of our homes. As the world becomes more technologically dependent, however, businesses must also adapt.
