Understanding Malicious URL Protection and Why It's Important for Email Security
Email assaults are continually developing, and the digital threat landscape is considerably more hazardous than ever due to the "new normal" we've witnessed during the pandemic. According to security analysts, COVID-19 has resulted in a 600% surge in phishing attempts, with the bulk of these assaults relying on malicious links to steal passwords and transmit malware. According to research, one out of every ten employees will end up clicking on a malicious link. One incorrect click may result in an account breach, data theft, financial loss, reputation harm, and lost productivity.
In order to defend against phishing, business email compromise (BEC), and other attacks utilizing malicious URLs, harmful URL protection must be implemented as part of a complete email security plan. You might now be wondering what harmful URL protection is and how it works.
Well, we've got you covered! This blog will demystify the concept of harmful URL protection and show you why it is non-negotiable when it comes to protecting your email from persistent and ever-evolving cyber attacks.
URL Protection: The Basics
Despite the fact that HTML email allows readers to inspect the destination of a link by hovering over it, the majority of us do not follow this security best practice. Malicious URL prevention removes the chance of a potentially disastrous ‘wrong click’ that may lead to the submission of credentials or the loss of control of one's computer by downloading ransomware, spyware, or other malicious executable malware.
While many email security solutions utilize URL rewriting to detect dangerous links, this method frequently gives consumers a false sense of security and causes more harm than good. While IT specialists may understand the process of URL rewriting, many people may believe that any 'Safe' link is indeed safe, which is not always the case. As a result, URL rewriting may increase the possibility of visitors clicking on fraudulent links as a side effect.
How to Avoid Malicious URLs
As a recipient of an email with a suspicious and potentially dangerous URL, you should first verify the email and website's validity. You can do so by double-checking the following:
Verifying Senders’ Addresses
In fact, faked email addresses are used in the majority of fraudulent emails. Although the email may appear to be from a well-known firm, the sender's email address may reveal the sender's malicious intentions.
Display Name Mismatch
The sender's email address may be totally different from the firm from which the email purports to come. This is a clear indicator of a potentially harmful communication, and you should ignore any requests or demands made by the sender. This includes following any links in the email or calling unknown phone numbers listed in the email.
Typosquatting
Criminals might fool you into thinking an email is from a reputable organization by using a technique known as typosquatting. They accomplish this by creating email accounts that appear to be from reputable businesses. To make their domain appear authentic, they modify a letter or two. If you're in a rush and don't pay attention to the sender's email domain, you'll believe the email originated from a reliable and trustworthy sender.
Inconsistency
If you read a fraudulent email, you'll notice discrepancies indicating that the email and any links embedded in it are phony and possibly harmful. These anomalies indicate that the email is a hoax, and you should not click on any of the possibly harmful URLs contained inside it.
Look for SSL Certificates on Websites
SSL/TLS certificates are commonly used by legitimate websites. These certificates provide websites with organizational identity and encryption. The organization that owns a website has been validated by a trusted third party called a certificate authority, which ensures that the website is authentic (CA). If a padlock appears in the browser address bar and HTTPS appears at the beginning of the URL, the website employs a secure, encrypted connection to safeguard data in transit.
ALSO READ:- Phishing Email Attacks: Examples and Solutions
Cybercriminals are always devising new methods to deceive you and other innocent victims. They do this by adding malicious URLs in emails, putting them in false advertisements, and distributing them through a variety of other techniques.
Remember that a criminal is planning new methods to hurt you right now, whether it's tempting you to click on dangerous links or gaining access to your IT systems and data. This is why cybersecurity cannot be accomplished in a one-time effort or passive participation. It's a never-ending, ever-evolving process that needs constant vigilance and consistent monitoring.
Email assaults are continually developing, and the digital threat landscape is considerably more hazardous than ever due to the "new normal" we've witnessed during the pandemic. According to security analysts, COVID-19 has resulted in a 600% surge in phishing attempts, with the bulk of these assaults relying on malicious links to steal passwords and transmit malware. According to research, one out of every ten employees will end up clicking on a malicious link. One incorrect click may result in an account breach, data theft, financial loss, reputation harm, and lost productivity.