Alarming Phishing Attack Trends to Beware of in 2022

WELCOME TO SOLUTIONS SQUAD!

We understand that your focus is to drive business growth and stay ahead of the competition. That’s why our Expertly Managed IT services are curated to streamline your operations, help secure your business, and ensure your technology scales with your ambition. We bring a proactive approach to IT management, offering tailored solutions that keep you connected and protected. With services ranging from real-time monitoring to cutting-edge cybersecurity and disaster recovery planning, we’re here to empower your strategic decisions with our Virtual CIO and co-managed IT support. We stand by a security-first ethos, reinforced by our dedicated helpdesk, ensuring clear assistance in plain English, anytime you need it. We are your partner in building a resilient, efficient, and innovative IT infrastructure, freeing you to focus on what you do best: running your business.

Empower Your Business with Expert IT Support

Unlock efficiency and secure your digital assets with our Expertly Managed IT services—where peace of mind meets innovation.

In 2020, 75% of companies around the world experienced a phishing attack. Phishing remains one of the biggest dangers to your business’s health and wellbeing because it’s the main delivery method for all types of cyberattacks.

One phishing email can be responsible for a company succumbing to ransomware and having to face costly downtime. It can also lead a user to unknowingly hand over the credentials to a company email account that the hacker then uses to send targeted attacks to customers.

Phishing takes advantage of human error, and some phishing emails use sophisticated tactics to fool the recipient into divulging information or infecting a network with malware.

Mobile phishing threats skyrocketed by 161% in 2021.

Your best safeguards against the continuous onslaught of phishing include:

  • Email filtering
  • DNS filtering
  • Next-gen antivirus/anti-malware
  • Ongoing employee cybersecurity awareness training

To properly train your employees and ensure your IT security is being upgraded to meet the newest threats you need to know what new phishing dangers are headed your way.

Here are some of the latest phishing trends that you need to watch out for in 2022.

Phishing Is Increasingly Being Sent via Text Message

Fewer people are suspicious of text messages than they are of unexpected email messages. Most phishing training is usually focused on the email form of phishing because it’s always been the most prevalent.

But cybercrime entities are now taking advantage of the easy availability of mobile phone numbers and using text messaging to deploy phishing attacks. This type of phishing (called “smishing”) is growing in volume.

People are receiving more text messages now than they did in the past, due in large part to retailers and service businesses pushing their text updates for sales and delivery notices.

This makes it even easier for phishing via SMS to fake being a shipment notice and get a user to click on a shortened URL.

Business Email Compromise Is on the Rise

Ransomware has been a growing threat over the last few years largely because it’s been a big money-maker for the criminal groups that launch cyberattacks. A new up-and-coming form of attack is beginning to be quite lucrative and thus is also growing.

Business email compromise (BEC) is on the rise and being exploited by attackers to make money off things like gift card scams and fake wire transfer requests.

What makes BEC so dangerous (and lucrative) is that when a criminal gains access to a business email account, they can send very convincing phishing messages to employees, customers, and vendors of that company. The recipients will immediately trust the familiar email address, making these emails potent weapons for cybercriminals.

Small Businesses Are Being Targeted More Frequently With Spear Phishing

There is no such thing as being too small to be attacked by a hacker. Small businesses are targeted frequently in cyberattacks because they tend to have less IT security than larger companies.

43% of all data breaches target small and mid-sized companies, and 40% of small businesses that become victims of an attack experience at least eight hours of downtime as a result.

Spear phishing is a more dangerous form of phishing because it’s targeted and not generic. It’s the type deployed in an attack using BEC.

It used to be that spear-phishing was used for larger companies because it takes more time to set up a targeted and tailored attack. However, as large criminal groups and state-sponsored hackers make their attacks more efficient, they’re able to more easily target anyone.

A result is small businesses receiving more tailored phishing attacks that are harder for their users to identify as a scam.

The Use of Initial Access Brokers to Make Attacks More Effective

We just discussed the fact that large criminal groups are continually optimizing their attacks to make them more effective. They treat cyberattacks like a business and work to make them more profitable all the time.

One way they are doing this is by using outside specialists called Initial Access Brokers. This is a specific type of hacker that only focuses on getting the initial breach into a network or company account.

The increasing use of these experts in their field makes phishing attacks even more dangerous and difficult for users to detect.

Business Impersonation Is Being Used More Often

As users have gotten savvier about being careful of emails from unknown senders, phishing attackers have increasingly used business impersonation. This is where a phishing email will come in looking like a legitimate email from a company that the user may know or even do business with.

Amazon is a common target of business impersonation, but it also happens with smaller companies as well. For example, there have been instances where website hosting companies have had client lists breached and those companies sent emails impersonating the hosting company and asking the users to log in to an account to fix an urgent problem.

More business impersonation being used in phishing attacks mean users have to be suspicious of all emails, not just those from unknown senders.

Is Your Company Adequately Protected from Phishing Attacks?

It’s important to use a multi-layered strategy when it comes to defending against one of the biggest dangers to your business’s wellbeing. Get started with a cybersecurity audit to review your current security posture and identify ways to improve.


Featured Image Credit

This Article has been Republished with Permission from The Technology Press.

Don’t miss out on all the benefits – subscribe now and take your business to the next level!

  • Get exclusive access to expert insights and tips for leveraging technology to grow your business.
  • Stay up to date on the latest tech trends and advancements that can help you stay ahead of the competition.
  • Join a network of business leaders who are committed to using technology to drive success and innovation.
  • Receive personalized support and guidance from our team of IT experts.
  • Enjoy a more streamlined and secure digital experience with our insider tips and tricks.
information technology services the backbone of dania beach businesses

Information Technology Services: The Backbone of Dania Beach Businesses

Information Technology Services: The Backbone of Dania Beach Businesses Have you ever wondered what keeps the vibrant businesses of Dania Beach, Florida running smoothly? The secret lies in the invisible yet crucial network of Information Technology Services. In today’s digital…
a computer circuit board with a brain on it

These 7 AI Trends Are Sweeping the Cybersecurity Realm

Relentless digital innovation has defined the last few years. The symbiotic relationship between AI and cybersecurity has become pivotal especially when it comes to safeguarding sensitive information and digital assets.As cyber threats evolve in complexity, AI has emerged as a…
enhancing business efficiency with expert it service in margate

Enhancing Business Efficiency with Expert IT Service in Margate

Welcome to the vibrant business landscape of Margate, Florida, where the sun shines bright and the potential for growth is limitless. Here at Solutions Squad, nestled in the heart of Hollywood, Florida, we understand the unique challenges and opportunities that…
a close up of a red and black keyboard

Online Security: Addressing the Dangers of Browser Extensions

Browser extensions have become as common as mobile apps. People tend to download many and use few. There are over 176,000 browser extensions available on Google Chrome alone. These extensions offer users extra functionalities and customization options.While browser extensions enhance…
alt="Free Prosthetic Arm on Blue Background Stock Photo"

How Small Businesses Are Unlocking Growth With Generative AI

Staying ahead in business often means embracing cutting-edge technologies. New tools can unlock new avenues for growth especially for small businesses. SMBs are often looking for affordable ways to gain a competitive advantage.One such transformative force is Generative Artificial Intelligence…