Due to ever increasing need for online communication, email has been a major security issue or vulnerability. In fact, antivirus software is not efficient in blocking the social engineering attacks or phishing attacks launched through emails.
Today, more and more email security concerns are on the rise, including spear phishing, whale phishing and ransomware. Therefore, you should deal with such emerging email security concerns. And here comes this shocking truth—over 90% of cyber-attacks have been triggered by an email. It is safe to say that it is still the most vulnerable link in the security chain.
Here we have rounded up some common email security risks:
Sending Email to the Wrong Recipient:
It happens. We must have sent the mail to the wrong person at some point of our life. For example, you must have select “Martin” instead of “Martina” and hit send. Did you know that such silly errors can lead to big cybersecurity threats?
According to one report, such mistakes are the fourth most common action associated with a data incident. For instance, a misdirected email that includes a personally identifiable information or PII can be accessed by a malicious person and eventually lead to data breach.
Getting Phishing Mails:
Phishing is a dangerous tactic used by cyber criminals to trick users gets sensitive information such as bank accounts or social security numbers. For example, they pose as a genuine source such as your boss or bank so that you can trust them without question. These mails include a link that looks like real which takes you to a malicious website.
Directory Harvest Attacks:
A directory harvest attack or DHA is an email threat conducted by spammers who look to access the email database attached to an organization’s domain. Although they use a simple method like a dictionary attack, DHAs target all types of information, unleashing huge damage.
Launching Ransomware:
Generally, ransomware is a type of malware program which is commonly transferred through email. It is also known as “crypto-Trojan, crypto-worm, or crypto-virus”. This malware program keeps the victim’s dat as a hostage or locks it and demands money to release it.
Injecting Key Loggers:
A keylogger is a tool, a hardware device that records every key stroke that the user hits on their keyboard. It is one of the most used email threats to capture passwords, personal messages and credit card info as well as everything being typed by the user.