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The IT User’s Guide to Phishing Scams - WebHostingBuzz US Blog
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The IT User’s Guide to Phishing Scams

Phishing scams can happen to anyone.

Posted on 21 Jun 2022 by Michelle

As an IT user, cybersecurity should always be a top priority! Whether you are an employee at a company, the CEO of a large business, or just your average, everyday IT user, things like phishing scams can be extremely dangerous. Proper cybersecurity training on all types of cyber threats is critical to protect your information and assets. Unfortunately, scammers have become more adept at finding ways to infiltrate your IT systems and steal your information. They use sophisticated measures and disguises to try and gain access to your precious and vital information. Reading through today’s user’s guide to phishing scams is a great way to stay one step ahead of them! 

Investing in a company that protects you is another great way to stay ahead of cyber threats. That’s where we come in at Web Hosting Buzz. We have one of the most robust and comprehensive security systems on the market today. All of our IT services are designed and backed by state-of-the-art security software to protect your assets from even the most cunning of hackers. From phishing scams to brute force attacks and viral injections, we are here for you 24/7. 

Your Crash Course on Phishing Scams

Before we dive too deeply into how you can prevent phishing scams, let’s learn a little bit about what they are. Phishing scams are a popular scam used by cyber hackers to gain access to your IT information. Information a scammer might be looking for includes financial data, personal identification information, or business-related information. Any IT user can become the victim of a phishing scam, and there is no way to know whether or not you are a target unless you stay informed, make smart choices, and protect your assets with effective security protocols. 

In most cases, phishing scams happen through online messaging platforms, email, and/or text messaging applications. They are prevalent across academic institutions, businesses, and with home IT users. Furthermore, these scams can take on many disguises, making it harder to detect them. However, the right security measures and learning the warning signs of phishing scams are all ways you can avoid becoming a scammer’s next victim.  

Beware of Suspicious Links 

Usually, when a phishing scam occurs it’s sent via an online message platform or email. Scammers will embed links in emails that they attempt to get victims to click on. These links might directly lead them to an online platform where they are asked to input personal information under the guise of some other entity, like a government agency. Other times, these links might simply be a virus that gives scammers the ability to view what’s on your screen from anywhere in the world without you knowing. In either case, it’s important to only open emails and links from sources you trust and can confirm. If you are ever unsure of the validity of a link, you can always check with the reported sender. 

For example, if you receive an email from a government agency such as the IRS asking you to follow a link to input information, you should contact a valid IRS office to confirm. A government agency will rarely ask you to input any information through email. Therefore, this should be an automatic red flag. Remember that when it comes to suspicious links, erring on the side of caution is always best. 

Beware of the danger of phishing scams.

Photo by Windows on Unsplash

Implement Dual Login Technology 

As an informed IT user, you can also implement dual login technology. This makes it harder for scammers to gain access to your information, even if you do click on a faulty link by accident. Dual logins require users to utilize a second device to confirm their identity when logging into any important platform or system. You will require a unique code, confirmation device, or passphrase for getting into your system. 

Secure SPAM Settings

Web Hosting Buzz employs SPAM protection experts, who can help you update SPAM settings to eliminate email with phishing scams. While this won’t eradicate all SPAM emails, it will significantly what you receive. A large number of phishing schemes will get filtered out with strict and accurate SPAM filters in place. Learn more by reaching out to our IT experts to update SPAM settings across all your accounts. 

Be Wary of Fake Logos

Finally, as an IT user, it’s important to pay attention to detail. Just like scammers can convince vulnerable individuals that they need to input information via a fake link, they can disguise themselves as other agencies using fake logos. Therefore, if a logo or government certification ever looks off or sketchy to you, don’t open that email or click on any links within. It’s easy for hackers to copy these logos. However, many will have something odd about them, like a difference in color. Plus, the lack of official seals or logos from reputable sources is a red flag not to open the email without proper confirmation.  

Contact Web Hosting Buzz

While scammers are becoming craftier at finding ways to steal and destroy your precious information, there is hope. With the right IT protection and education on the dangers of phishing scams, you can avoid becoming the next victim. We are dedicated to helping our clients stay protected against all types of cyber threats at Web Hosting Buzz. Learn more by visiting our website today. You can also reach us by submitting an online support system ticket anytime. 

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