Safe Browsing Practices: How to Recognize and Avoid Phishing Attempts

Title: Safe Browsing Practices: How to Recognize and Avoid Phishing Attempts
Last Updated: 9-28-2023
Applicable to: Camin Cargo Control Employees

Overview:
Phishing is a form of cyber-attack where attackers masquerade as trustworthy entities to deceive individuals into providing sensitive information. Recognizing and avoiding these attempts is crucial to safeguarding personal and company data.

Objective:
This article aims to educate Camin Cargo Control employees on the common signs of phishing attempts and best practices for safe browsing.

Recognizing Phishing Attempts:

  1. Unexpected Emails:

    • Be cautious of emails from unknown senders or unexpected messages from known contacts.
  2. Misspellings or Odd Wording:

    • Phishing emails often contain spelling mistakes, grammatical errors, or unusual phrasing.
  3. Suspicious Links:

    • Hover over hyperlinks (without clicking) to see where they lead. If the address looks odd or doesn't match the sender's organization, be wary.
  4. Requests for Personal or Financial Information:

    • Legitimate organizations will never ask for sensitive information through email.
  5. Threatening Language:

    • Emails claiming you'll face dire consequences unless you act immediately are usually scams.

Safe Browsing Practices:

  1. Verify Before Clicking:

    • If you're unsure about an email's legitimacy, contact the sender directly using a known contact method.
  2. Use Two-Factor Authentication (2FA):

    • Enable 2FA on accounts to add an additional layer of security.
  3. Check Website URLs:

    • Ensure the website you're visiting starts with "https://" and look for a padlock symbol in the address bar.
  4. Avoid Downloading Unknown Attachments:

    • These could contain malware or viruses.
  5. Stay Informed:

    • Regularly educate yourself on the latest phishing tactics and techniques.

Precautions:

  • Never provide personal or company information in response to an email, even if it appears to be from a trusted source.

  • Regularly update and maintain antivirus software to detect and prevent malware.

  • If you believe you've encountered a phishing attempt, report it to the IT department immediately.


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About this Article
  • Created: 09/23/2023 8:32 pm CDT
  • Last updated: 09/23/2023 8:32 pm CDT