Welcome to Week 2 of Cybersecurity Awareness Month, which focuses on “Fight the Phish.” Today, phishing attacks account for more than 80 percent of reported security incidents. It is important to spot and report phishing attempts to prevent ransomware and other malware attacks. Think before you click on any suspicious emails, links, or attachments and make sure to report any suspicious emails if you can.
Helpful Tips:
You can find tip sheets with information on the following topics on the National Cybersecurity Awareness Month Publications site:
- Important to know the Red Flags (suspicious aspects such as bad formatting or urgency)
- Verify the Source
- Be Aware of Vishing and Other Phishing Offshoots
- Don’t hesitate to report phishing
In particular, the following tip sheets can help you identify and address phishing attempts:
- Phishing Tip Sheet
- Identify Theft and Internet Scams Tip Sheet
- Cybersecurity Starts with You Tip Sheet
Facts and Figures:
- Malware increased by 358% in 2020. (Help Net Security)
- According to the FBI, phishing was the most common type of cybercrime in 2020, with the bureau receiving 241,342 complaints in 2020. (FBI)
- Phishing attacks account for more than 80 percent of reported security incidents. (Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report)
Our weekly emails and supporting information are available from the National Cyber Security Awareness Month page on the CUNY Website. We also provide a growing security resources list on the CUNY Information Security pages. You may also want to subscribe to OUCH! — the world’s leading, free security awareness newsletter designed for technology users.
If you have any questions about any of this information, please contact your college’s Information Security Manager.
By Patricia Kahn
