Email threats come in all shapes and sizes. It can be difficult to keep track of them all, especially if you’re not familiar with the different types. In this blog post, we will outline 10 of the most common email threats that you should watch out for. By being aware of these threats, you can take steps to protect yourself and your business from becoming a victim.

1. Phishing

By far the most common email threat, phishing attacks are emails sent to you from a malicious source that appears to be legitimate. These emails often contain links or attachments that can install malware on your computer if clicked.

• Business Email Compromise (BEC): BEC scams involve attackers impersonating an employee within a company in order to gain access to sensitive data or money from the business.

2. Spear Phishing

Spear Phishing attacks are targeted emails sent to specific individuals or companies. The attacker usually uses personal information in the email in order to make it appear more credible. It is important to be vigilant when opening any emails from unknown sources and never click on any attachments or links unless you are certain of their legitimacy.

• Malware is malicious software designed to damage, disrupt, or gain unauthorized access to a computer system. Common examples include ransomware, spyware, and viruses. These threats can be spread through email attachments or links within the email body itself so it’s essential that all emails are scanned for malware before being opened.

3. Whaling

Whaling attacks are similar to phishing, but are more targeted and often use scare tactics in order to gain access to sensitive information or money. These emails can appear extremely convincing so it is important to be vigilant when opening any emails from unknown sources.

• Spoofing is an email threat that involves an attacker sending you a fake email from a trusted source. It’s important to verify the authenticity of the email before taking any action such as clicking on links or downloading attachments.

4. Vishing

Vishing is a type of attack where attackers use voice messages or phone calls to convince you to provide sensitive information. These attacks may seem more legitimate as they can appear to be coming from someone you know, such as your bank or an online retailer. It’s important to stay vigilant and verify the authenticity of any call before taking any action.

5. Smishing

Smishing is a type of attack where attackers use text messages to attempt to gain access to sensitive information. These can appear to be coming from legitimate sources, such as your bank, so it’s important to stay vigilant and verify the message before taking any action.

• Spam emails are unwanted emails sent out in bulk with the sole intention of soliciting business from unsuspecting individuals or companies

6. Pharming

Pharming is a type of attack where attackers redirect traffic from a legitimate website to another malicious site. This can be done by sending out infected emails with links that appear to lead back to the original website, but in reality are actually leading to the attacker’s malicious site. By monitoring your email security and keeping up-to-date with new threats, you can help protect yourself and your business from becoming a victim of phishing or other email-based attacks. By being aware of the different email threats, you can take steps such as using strong passwords, limiting user access, and implementing email encryption solutions in order to keep your information secure. Additionally, educating your employees on the importance of email security.

7. Social Engineering

Social engineering attacks use psychological manipulation to get people to willingly give out confidential information or access resources. This type of attack usually involves an attacker pretending to be someone else in order to gain information from an unsuspecting individual. In order to protect yourself and your business, it is important to remain vigilant when it comes to email security and be aware of the different types of email threats that exist. Additionally, you should also raise awareness amongst employees so they are aware of the signs of a suspicious email and how to handle them appropriately.

8. Ransomware

Ransomware is a type of malicious software that encrypts your files and holds them for ransom. These attacks are usually spread through email attachments or links within the email body itself so it’s essential to be vigilant when opening emails from unknown sources. Additionally, you should also keep your systems up-to-date with the latest security patches in order to prevent attackers from taking advantage of any vulnerabilities in your system.

9. Botnet Attack

Botnet attack is a type of cyber-attack which uses ‘bots’, or automated computer programs to launch attacks against computers on the internet. Botnets can be used for DDoS attacks, sending spam emails and other malicious activities. In order to protect yourself it is important to ensure your systems are up-to-date with the latest security patches and that you regularly monitor your network activity for any suspicious activity.

10. Malvertising

Malvertising is a type of attack where malicious code is injected into legitimate online advertisements. Attackers use this technique to target unsuspecting users with malicious links and downloads, potentially leading to the installation of malware such as ransomware or spyware. In order to protect yourself, it’s important to stay vigilant when browsing the web and be wary of clicking on any suspicious-looking ads or links. Additionally, you should also ensure your systems are up-to-date with the latest security patches in order to prevent attackers from taking advantage of any vulnerabilities in your system.

How to protect yourself from email threats in 2023?

By following these tips and remaining vigilant with your email security, you can help protect yourself and your business from email threats in 2023 It’s important to stay up-to-date on the latest threats so that you can effectively identify any suspicious activity and take the appropriate actions against it. Additionally, regularly educating your employees on best practices for email security is also essential in order to reduce the risk of an attack. By taking these steps, you can ensure that your data remains safe and secure.

Finally, implementing an email encryption solution can help to protect your data from potential attackers. Email encryption solutions are designed to encrypt messages and attachments before they are sent so only the intended recipient can view them. This helps to ensure that any sensitive information that is exchanged via email remains secure and confidential. With these tips and by remaining vigilant with your email security, you can help protect yourself and your business from email threats in 2023. By taking appropriate measures now you can keep yourself safe and secure for the years ahead!

Cybesion is a Managed IT Security Service Provider, namely providing business grade cyber security protection.