PHISH & TELL 002

👋 WELCOME to Phish & Tell™️

Each week, I’ll send you a no-fluff email that helps you:

• 💻 Protect your business from digital scams & hacks

• 👩🏾‍💻 Learn cyber safety without needing to “speak tech”

• 🔐 Feel confident knowing you’re locked down tight

You’re not just building a business.
You’re building something worth protecting.
Let’s make sure no one gets to mess with it.

🎣 PHISH ALERT: TOP 5 CYBERSECURITY THREATS OF THE WEEK

Small businesses in the U.S. are contending with several pressing cybersecurity challenges. Here are the top five:​

1. Surge in Cyberattack Attempts

   Recent reports indicate a significant uptick in cyberattack attempts targeting small businesses. The Hiscox Cyber Readiness Report reveals that firms with 10 or fewer employees reported an average of 35 cyberattacks in the past 12 months. ​

   Recommendation: Implement robust cybersecurity measures, including regular system updates, employee training, and comprehensive incident response plans.​

2. Advanced AI-Powered Phishing and Business Email Compromise (BEC) Attacks

   Cybercriminals are leveraging artificial intelligence to craft highly convincing phishing emails, making them increasingly difficult to detect.

   Recommendation: Enhance email security protocols by implementing authentication measures such as DKIM, SPF, and DMARC. Conduct regular employee training to recognize and report suspicious emails.​

3. Third-Party Vendor Vulnerabilities

   An over-reliance on third-party service providers, including Software as a Service (SaaS) vendors, has exposed small businesses to additional cybersecurity risks. In 2024, nearly 70% of ransomware attacks on small and medium-sized businesses involved compromised third-party service providers. ​

   Recommendation: Conduct thorough due diligence when selecting vendors, ensuring they adhere to stringent cybersecurity standards. Regularly review and monitor third-party access to your systems and data.​

4. Outdated Security Systems and Practices

   Many small businesses continue to operate with outdated security systems, leaving them vulnerable to modern cyber threats.

   Recommendation: Regularly update and patch all software and hardware. Invest in modern cybersecurity solutions and provide ongoing training to employees to foster a culture of security awareness.​

5. Escalating Ransomware Threats

   Ransomware attacks are becoming more sophisticated and prevalent, with small businesses, healthcare facilities, and higher education institutions being particularly susceptible. ​

   Recommendation: Develop and regularly test a comprehensive incident response plan. (Try the Quick Tool in the next section!) Maintain up-to-date backups of critical data and consider implementing advanced threat detection systems to identify and mitigate ransomware attacks promptly.​

   By staying informed and implementing robust security measures, small businesses can significantly reduce their risk exposure and enhance their resilience against cyber threats.

🔍 In Case You Missed It (ICYMI)

• ⚠️ Scam Alert: Nationwide survey reveals that 25% of small businesses have been the target of an AI-driven scam, such as attempted fraud using video impersonations of a coworker 👉 See more details here »

• 🛠️ Quick Tool: Free AI experience — Have you wondered what it’s like to manage through a cybersecurity incident? Practice Staying CALM™️ in a Cyber Crisis — Before It Counts »

• 💬 Quote of the Week: “Cybersecurity is much more than an IT topic — it’s a business survival issue." — Stephane Nappo, Global Chief Information Security Officer

• 🫵 This week’s Security Done Easy blog post: Building a Blameless Cybersecurity Culture »

🔐 LOCK IT DOWN

How to Spot a Bad Link (Fast)

Your 3-second link check:

🕵️‍♂️ Weird endings?
Links that end in “.ru,” “.xyz,” or “.top” instead of “.com” or “.org”? 🚩

🔍 Misspellings?
Look closely — “paypaI.com” (with an I not an L) is not the real deal.

📱 Mobile trap?
On your phone, long-press the link — don’t tap! It’ll show you where it’s really going.

📌 Your action this week:
Create a team habit: Never click a link without checking it first — especially in texts or DMs. One bad link can open the door to malware or phishing attacks.
.

🤖 The LOL-gorithm

🧷 THE SAFETY SNAP

👛 A Personal Safety Bonus (because YOU matter, too): Use virtual cards for online shopping. Many banks and services (like Apple Card or privacy.com) let you create single-use or masked card numbers. That way, your real card stays safe. 🛒🛡️

✨ WORRIED ABOUT YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNTS?

👉 Grab the free Social Media Lockdown Guide.

Say goodbye to the fear of waking up to a compromised account. Learn how to protect your accounts from hijackers and scammers in five steps.

GET YOUR FREE GUIDE NOW 🔒

💬 IN YOUR CORNER

Worries? Questions? I’m in your corner. Let me know!

👋 DM me @securitydoneeasy with your Qs
🔐 Get on the waitlist: A 90-minute live experience for women leaders who want to be ready — not reactive — in a cybersecurity incident. Coming soon.
💌 Forward this to a biz bestie who needs to stay scam-proof, too!

👂 TELL ME

You’re subscribed to Phish & Tell™️ because your business is worth protecting.
Feel safe, stay savvy, and don’t click shady sh*t. ;-)

🩷