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How Can Administrators Stop Phishing Attacks?

Phishing attacks have become a major online threat. Cybercriminals use such attacks to snatch sensitive information like passwords, usernames, and financial details from innocent individuals and businesses. With phishing attacks becoming more sophisticated, administrators have to be more alert.

If you want to learn how to stop phishing attacks, then here check the best actionable steps.

Prevent Office Outlook/365 and Gmail with Spam Filters

The spam email comes with failed validation protocols such as Domain Keys Identified Mail and Sender Policy Framework. These protocols indicate whether the IP address and domain are authorized to communicate with the domain or not.

Email applications offer administrators the option to configure spam filters. But you have to be careful so that you do not block the legitimate emails. Additionally, you can report spam as phishing emails and manage spam settings.

Practice Using Multi-Factor Authentication

With the use of multi-factor authentication, you can protect your organization from phishing attacks that may enter via a malicious link send through a phishing email. Use at least 2-factor authentication system. But if the information is highly sensitive, it is best to add multiple levels of authentication.

Implement a strict password policy. Integrate Google authenticator within the applications. Enable the security code settings in your email account. Protect sensitive data or critical applications using a USB device.

Use DKIM Protocol

DomainKeys is a mechanism for email authentication that verifies the credibility of emails generated from a domain. Emails with this authentication are considered DKIM passed.

This protocol can be used by administrators to prevent their business domains from phishing attacks.

Closely Monitor Suspicious External Websites

Fake and suspicious external links and websites are easy targets for unsuspecting users. Cybercriminals generate fake websites that have a close resemblance to credible and popular sites. The webpage may look legitimate, but the URL of that page will be different from the original website. Hence, do check the following factors to identify whether they are fake or genuine:

Engagement

Unique visitors

Search Traffic

Popularity

Conduct Real-Time Scan

Administrators can employ third-party tools for performing a real-time scan on the information stored in their organization. With such tools, it is possible for the administrator to identify and remove threats from a specific domain.

With a real-time scan, it is possible to identify data leaks, check collaborators of a specific document, and obtain details about the security issues from scan results. It is essential to analyze such reports at periodic intervals to detect the possible phishing attacks.

Implement Preventive Solutions for Spyware and Malware

Spyware and malware come in different forms and shapes like worms, trojans, ransomware, virus, spyware, and more. Every form is different and designed for a specific objective. Their primary aim is to steal confidential information, exploit the IT infrastructure of the victim or encrypt files and demand ransom.

Administrators must implement endpoint safety solutions to detect and block hazardous malware attacks, which originate from compromised and external domains. These solutions provide administrators the ability to swiftly respond to novel threats and accurately investigate and clear up the network after the attack.

Use Data Encryption

Data encryption enables users to lock data and protect it with a password. This encrypted data is called as Ciphertext, which can be decrypted with a password or key. There are excellent encryption options offered by Outlook and Gmail for administrators. One can establish outbound email communication for TLS or Transport Layer Security or MIME for enhanced encryption.

In addition to the above-mentioned ways, it is of extreme importance for the administrators to stay updated with the latest techniques of phishing attacks. It is because online criminals are always creating and introducing new ways to harm users. Now, you know how to stop phishing attacks, do practice these measures to keep your sensitive information safe and secured.

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Written by James Dean

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