Five indications revealing an email as a phishing scam:
**Headline:** Latest Trends and Statistics Reveal Increased Prevalence of Phishing Attacks in 2021
In the digital age, where online communication has become the norm, cybercriminals are constantly finding new ways to infiltrate systems and steal sensitive information. One of the most common methods used is phishing, and recent trends and statistics suggest that its prevalence is on the rise.
**Prevalence of Phishing**
Phishing attacks were a leading cause of data breaches in 2021, accounting for nearly 22% of all data breaches according to the FBI's 2021 IC3 Report. This figure underscores the urgency for individuals and businesses to stay vigilant against these threats.
**Cost of Phishing Attacks**
The cost of phishing attacks was significant, with IBM’s Cost of Data Breach Report for 2021 indicating that phishing attacks were the second most expensive type of attack, costing around $4.6 million per breach.
**Increase in Spear Phishing**
Spear phishing, a more targeted form of phishing, was responsible for 65% of cyber-attacks, as reported by Symantec in 2019, and remained a significant threat in 2021.
**Percentage of Breaches Involving Phishing**
Nearly 93% of modern breaches involved phishing attacks, as reported by Cofense in Q3 2021. This alarming statistic emphasises the need for heightened awareness and proactive measures to combat these attacks.
**Company Exposure**
About 83% of companies experienced phishing attacks in 2021. This figure underscores the widespread nature of these attacks and the need for comprehensive cybersecurity measures.
**Cost Implications**
One of the most expensive phishing attacks involved compromised emails, resulting in around $1.8 billion in losses from 19,369 complaints.
**Impact During COVID-19**
The COVID-19 pandemic saw a significant rise in cybercrime, including phishing, as more people worked remotely and relied on digital platforms.
**Industry Targets**
While specific industry targets for 2021 were not detailed, phishing often targets sectors like finance, webmail, and software-as-a-service (SaaS) providers.
**Staying Safe**
In the face of these threats, it's crucial to be aware of potential signs of phishing attacks. These include emails with poor grammar, spelling, and pixellated or miss-sized logos, as well as bogus characters in URLs. If unsure about an email or its attachment’s origin, it's best to contact the sender through an alternative medium and request validation or clarification.
Moreover, users should only open attachments if they are confident they are sent from a legitimate party. Attachments carried by emails could be infected with malware, even if they appear to be invoices or bills.
To check the URL, hover your mouse arrow over the link; most browsers will display the real URL at the bottom of the browser window. Legitimate emails will have URLs leading back to an official company website, not a URL with additional words or characters.
Lastly, be wary of unsolicited emails asking for personal information or downloads, as they are likely scams. Bitcoin scams increased in email inboxes towards the end of 2020, riding on the wave of skyrocketing Bitcoin values.
Staying safe online is a shared responsibility, and by being aware of these trends and statistics, we can all take steps to protect ourselves and our businesses from the threat of phishing attacks.
- In the effort to combat the rise in phishing attacks, it's essential to invest in cybersecurity infrastructure that can provide robust protection against these threats.
- To effectively navigate the digital age and safeguard our data, it's crucial to prioritize education-and-self-development in the area of technology, with a focus on understanding and identifying phishing attacks.
