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What is Phishing?

Phishing is malicious emails used to target companies or individuals in order to access data. They include links or documents to click on that causes you to download a payload. The payload gives a hacker access to your system and your network. Hackers use phishing emails because it’s easy to reach many people with one email. They have a high success rate. There are a few different kinds of phishing emails.

  • Spear phishing—on one individual
  • Whaling—used for high up levels in the company
  • Smishing –texting phishing attacks
  • Vishing – phone call trying to steal your data—posing as the IRS
  • Angular phishing –using social media platforms to steal data

A way for you to protect yourself from phishing emails is to understand how to identify an email that may be phishing.

  • The sender is someone you don’t know
  • The email has urgency
  • Includes grammar/spelling mistakes
  • Asks for personal information
  • Links to websites
  • Greeting is generic

In the time of COVID-19, there are increased phishing attempts. Please be wary of any emails referring to the following as it may be a phishing email:

  • Stimulus checks
  • COVID-19 vaccines
  • Email from CDC
  • Verify personal info
  • Updating the COVID-19 status

A free resource to check if an email may be a phishing attack is virustotal.com. If you want to learn more about how to secure your environment, please reach out to us at sales@aurorait.com.


Contact us at sales@aurorait.com or call 888-282-0696 to learn more about how Aurora can help your organization with IT, consulting, compliance, assessments, managed services, or cybersecurity needs.

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