Its sad to think that there are entire networks of hackers dedicated to the business of cybercrime, but there are. In fact, according to one study, hackers steal an average of 75 records per second.1
Sure, cybercrime is profitable. But why do cybercriminals create email phishing scams? The answer is simple. Email is often an organization’s weakest security link. Once the security breach has begun, email hackers have access to all sorts of information – from personal data to sensitive corporate documents. If you’ve ever wondered what email hackers (a.k.a. cybercriminals) are looking for when they hide behind their phishing email campaigns, this list will interest you.
Identity theft:
Once a hacker has access into your computer, they can use your personal information to commit identity theft, for example accessing your banking information or committing credit card fraud.
Social Security Numbers:
A subset of identity theft, once a hacker has your SSN they can open lines of credit or even redirect your tax refund.
Medical theft:
Email scammers looking for details about your health insurance or medical records are likely looking to commit medical ID theft, which entails using your insurance information to use or bill for medical services.
Verification data:
Sharing random details―like the name of your first-grade teacher― may seem harmless, but they can be used by email hackers to answer security questions on your sensitive financial accounts.
Payment redirects:
Seen often with businesses, hackers pose as a familiar company or vendor you regularly pay. They explain that their own bank account information has changed and ask that you redirect future payments to their accounts.
Blackmail:
Ransomware is much like its name depicts. Email scammers trick you into downloading and installing software that allows them to access your files and lock them. These hackers then offer to unlock your data once you have agreed to pay them what they demand.
The U.S. government’s 2019 budget for cybersecurity related items was $15 billion, which is a $583.4 million increase over 2018.2 That alone is a very good indication that phishing scams are only growing in number and complexity. The best way to safeguard your identity, your finances, and even your whole company, is by choosing the best email security service. INKY® provides the most comprehensive malware and email phishing protection available. It scans every sent and delivered email automatically and flags malicious emails, protecting you and your company from even the most complex threats.
----------------------
INKY® is the most effective solution in the war against phishing. An affordable, cloud-based email security solution, INKY® can prevent even the most complex phishing threats from infecting, disrupting, and even immobilizing your organization’s network. Using computer vision, artificial intelligence, and machine learning, INKY® is the smartest investment you can make in the security of your organization. Learn more or request an online demonstration today.
1Source: https://hostingtribunal.com/blog/hacking-statistics/#gref
2Source: https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/ap_21_cyber_security-fy2019.pdf