Are you security minded? Hackers are! Here are some top phishing email subjects caught in our quarantine over the last quarter that are playing on people’s security concerns:

20% Password Check Required Immediately

12% Vacation Policy Update

11% Branch/Corporate Reopening Schedule

10% COVID-19 Awareness

10% Coronavirus Stimulus Checks

10% List of Rescheduled Meetings Due to COVID-19

8% Confidential Information on COVID-19

7% COVID-19 – Now airborne, Increased community transmission

6% Fedex Tracking

6% Your meeting attendees are waiting!

Key Takeaway

Hackers are playing into employees’ desires to remain security minded. Unsurprisingly, half of the top subjects for this quarter were around the Coronavirus pandemic. Curiosity is also piqued with security-related notifications and HR-related messages that could potentially affect their daily work.

As high as 30% of untrained staff have proven to fall prey to these phishing emails in our security awareness audits.

Ready to do something about it?

Reach out to our team and we’ll arrange a free Security Awareness Audit to put together a training plan for your team. Education and training is less costly than you might think, and not as intrusive on your team where the benefits far outweigh the efforts. Call us at 905-524-2001 or email at sales@netaccess.ca to get started.

https://ised-isde.canada.ca/site/competition-bureau-canada/en

  To: “undisclosed recipients” Date: Nov. 10, 2011 Re: Letter of intent Hello, I am a Civil Lawyer. I have a Client that has Interest in Investing in Your Company, can You be of Assistance? I shall give Details when You reply. Yours Faithfully, Barr. Joel Kazeel. Cell Phone: 234‑82‑72783469 Telephone: 234‑1‑8879801

Is it legitimate? There are many features to this email to suggest it is not. Please note:

• This email is not personally addressed to you. It is sent to “Undisclosed recipients”, which suggests it is likely been sent to hundreds, not just you.
• There are spelling, grammar and punctuation errors, all which are common on scam emails targeting organizations.
• The contact number is an international phone number, also common on scams based in other countries.
• The email is short on details. How did this person get your name? What do they know about your business? Why have they not called you first?

Treat these messages with a skeptical eye.