Cyber Threats via Email: how to protect your business

Email-based cyber threats are among the most significant risks for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Cyber criminals often use e-mails to infiltrate company information systems, steal sensitive data, or cause disruptions.

Understanding the main threats and knowing how to defend against them is essential. This is the first step in maintaining your company’s security.

What are the most common e-mail threats?

Emails are an essential tool for daily work, which is why they are also one of the preferred attack vectors for cyber criminals.

Here are some of the most common email-based cyber threats:

• Phishing: this type of attack is very widespread. Scammers send seemingly legitimate emails to trick recipients into providing sensitive information, such as login credentials or banking data. Phishing emails often appear to come from trustworthy sources.

• Spear Phishing: a more sophisticated form of phishing, where attackers customize messages for a single recipient, making them even more convincing. These attacks may include personal information gathered from social media or other online sources.

• Malware: Emails can contain attachments or links that, once opened, download malicious software onto the recipient’s computer. Malware can steal data, damage systems, or allow hackers to take control of infected devices.

• Business Email Compromise (BEC): this type of attack involves impersonating a company executive or business partner to convince the recipient to transfer money or provide sensitive information. Attackers often use social engineering techniques to make their requests credible.

Tips for defending against e-mail attacks

Protecting against email-based cyber threats requires a combination of awareness, training, and technology.

Here are some effective strategies:

• Training and Awareness: educate employees about the risks of suspicious emails and how to recognize phishing signs. Organize regular training sessions and send periodic reminders to maintain high vigilance.

• Source verification: before responding to requests for sensitive information or money transfers, always verify the authenticity of the request through a separate communication channel, such as a phone call.

• Use of Security Software: install and regularly update antivirus and anti-malware software on company computers. These tools can help detect and block threats before they cause damage.

• Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): two-factor authentication adds an extra layer of security, requiring a second verification element in addition to the password. This makes it much more difficult for attackers to access e-mail accounts, even if they manage to obtain the password.

The importance of a Secure Email Gateway

A Secure Email Gateway is a fundamental solution to protect your business from email-based cyber threats.

This system acts as a filter between your corporate network and the Internet, analyzing all incoming and outgoing emails to identify and block potential threats.

• Content filtering: a Secure Email Gateway can scan emails for suspicious keywords, dangerous attachments, and malicious links. This significantly reduces the risk of employees receiving emails containing malware or phishing attempts.

• Automatic blocks: these systems can automatically block emails from addresses known to be used in cyberattacks, reducing the risk of infections and scams.

• Real-time protection: a Secure Email Gateway is constantly updated with the latest threat information, ensuring up-to-date protection against new attack techniques used by cybercriminals.

• Monitoring and reporting: these gateways offer monitoring and reporting features, allowing network administrators to view attack attempts and take preventive measures. Additionally, they help comply with data protection regulations by providing an overview of filtered emails and the reasons for blocking them.

Email-based cyber threats are constantly evolving, but with the right awareness and appropriate security measures, it is possible to effectively protect your business.

Educating employees, implementing security software, and adopting a Secure Email Gateway are essential steps to reduce the risk of attacks.

CyberTrust 365 Security E-mail Gateway

To help businesses protect themselves from email threats, CyberTrust 365 offers a managed Secure Email Gateway service, a solution that constantly analyzes the company’s IT perimeter to promptly detect and block harmful content.

Prevention is key to avoiding costly security incidents and maintaining the trust of customers and business partners.

Discover the Security E-mail Gateway service>>