Your Inbox Is At Risk. How To Stop Outlook Phishing Email Attacks?

Is your inbox the victim of an outlook phishing email? The fastest way to combat this threat is to recognize it, and then take immediate action. We’ve outlined some of the common signs of phishing, as well as some powerful and easy-to-use tools for you to fortify your Outlook account. Don’t forget the importance of layered protection against spam, malware, phishing and ransomware.

The Facts

• Outlook phishing emails are a serious security threat for individuals and enterprises alike. These emails pretend to be someone or something they’re not, and usually ask for sensitive data or money. You should always be on the lookout for them, and know what steps to take if you encounter one.
• A multi-protocol email security system such as Data443’s Cyren Inbox Protection Manager (IPM) is essential. Outlook users should have the option to fully secured emails, by detecting and blocking phishing, spam and malware. Inbox Protection Manager also allows enhanced email security through Microsoft 365 anti-phishing policies.
• Secure email service is achievable if you have a strong password that you change regularly, multi-factor authentication, regular training, and data protection compliance – as well as using tools like Inbox Protection Manager to sort and prioritize your email.

What Are Outlook Phishing Emails?

It’s imperative to identify and reject harmful emails including phishing attacks and malware delivered by email, to avoid data loss and monetary theft.

The context of email security includes prevention of exposing confidential data, monetary theft and loss of business uptime in any industry or government entity. Phishers use impersonation techniques to achieve their goals. They send seemingly valid emails, pretending to be from a trusted entity, and trick the recipient – by baiting (promising something appealing) or by coercing (threatening to harm or reveal secrets) – to click on a harmful link that gives them access to your account or an organization’s data store for bigger breaches. Some attacks, such as business email compromise, target specific employees to trick, and there is technology and human awareness that can be deployed to detect and reject these attacks.

How To Identify Harmful Emails And Phishing In Outlook

Phishing emails pretend to be from a legitimate sender, and have a different hidden purpose, usually to steal sensitive data or to install malware with malicious attachments. Users of Outlook can easily identify these harmful emails by looking at the from address, which usually is fake or a malicious address string that looks like a real one.

Be wary of emails that create an artificial sense of urgency. (This is the recipient’s thinking deteriorates and they act hastily). These emails ask for sensitive data or money, and create a sense of urgency and anxiety to overcome your logical thinking.

New Techniques In Phishing

As the industry advances, so do the cyber criminals. Spear phishing, for example, has moved from being a mass attack technique to a much more targeted activity. Cyber criminals choose specific targets based on personal information and research. Phishing attacks have become more targeted and sophisticated, and users are tricked into clicking on a harmful link. A newer form of these attacks is called ‘quishing’. QR codes are used by attackers as a delivery mechanism for phishing sites, and users are directed to a harmful destination. Cyber criminals are getting ingenious – and so must we.

How To Stop Phishing Email Attacks 

Secure email gateways are the guardians of our email accounts. They monitor the stream of emails coming in and out, and look for signs of phishing and potential account compromise attacks, and malicious email downloads. They use multiple detection techniques including email content, sender reputation and blocking malicious attachments from being opened in a sandbox (a secure environment). These services provide email security that is much needed in our everyday email communication.

A layered email security solution should be implemented to monitor email attacks. These solutions include cloud native email security tools, and email security integrated with different platforms. They include protection from phishing, malware, ransomware and CEO impersonation, as well as email encryption and automated detection and removal of malicious emails.

Integrated and Cloud based Email Security solutions, which include their protection directly within Microsoft 365 and other platforms for example, using APIs to integrate the security directly within the platform.

Data443’s Cyren Inbox Protection Manager (IPM)

Data443’s Cyren Inbox Protection Manager (IPM) is a powerful and easy-to-use email security tool. You can opt for the free version which monitors your activity constantly, or the premium version which includes added protection. IPM acts as a multi-layered filter and scans emails in bulk to detect and block spam, phishing and malicious emails at the gateway.

The add-in adapts to the individual’s workflow and offers solutions for different levels of vigilance – from automatically checking Outlook when it is opened – to adding outbound email protection to prevent accidentally sending cyber threats.

How To Add Advanced Security To Achieve Total Email Security

Outlook.com offers threat protection for email accounts. They include advanced security features which are accessible from the user interface, for web browsers, mobile devices and most mail applications. It filters incoming emails and evaluates the sender’s reputation. It also warns users when the sender isn’t authenticated and could be a target for phishing attacks.

Spoof Intelligence is one of the key features included as part of Microsoft 365 Advanced Threat Protection and Exchange Online Protection. It prevents fraudulent emails from reaching your inbox. Outlook.com takes a hard stance against cyber threats, and offers broad protection that includes sophisticated attachment scanning and link scanning – for Microsoft 365 subscribers.

Outlook Email Security Best Practices

Email security, like a classical ballet, requires vigilance, precision and sometimes a leap away from the potential malicious attacks. Strong passwords are the first line of defense. Creating a unique password and changing it frequently, and service providers enforcing strict requirements to strengthen this first barrier.

A layered email security solution should be implemented to monitor email attacks and provide layers of protection against them.

How To Stay Secure With Strong Passwords And Multi-Factor Authentication

The best way to block unauthorized access is to use a strong password that includes a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters.

For email security reasons, multi-factor authentication is very important. It includes different layers of protection that are similar to the multiple outer walls of a castle and requires different kinds of proof before the user can access the most sensitive areas of the application.

Training and Human Awareness

The human factor is always a susceptible element and training must be done to be always vigilant against phishing attacks and social engineering in general. Training sessions about cybersecurity can transform employees into alert sentinels, knowledgeable and aware of phishing techniques. These sessions must be done periodically to stay up-to-date with the constant emerging attacks. They are essential – like a shield during a war – to preserve the unchanged strength of an organization’s security barrier.

Data Protection And Compliance With Outlook Email Security

When it comes to email security, data exfiltration can create risks and breaches in compliance, even with complete protection in the Outlook email environment. Protecting sensitive data and complying with data protection regulations is more than mere routine. It’s an essential role in maintaining business communication and customer loyalty in the grand opera of activities.

Protecting against malicious emails is necessary to avoid data exfiltration and ensure compliance.

Privacy And Regulatory Compliance With Data443’s Cyren IPM

Data443’ extensive taxonomy is a regulatory compliance mechanism that enhances the precision and efficiency in data management like a chief conductor working with an orchestra. The confidence in Data443’ privacy solution is proven by more than 30,000 active installs worldwide, and its relentless effort to comply with privacy regulations.

Data443’s Cyren Inbox Protection Manager (IPM) offers these benefits:

• Protects user privacy with the highest regulatory standards
• Protects sensitive information stored within Outlook environments as part of a layered email security solution
• Creates a confidence that is wise and deserved

Some Data443’s Cyren IPM Features For Outlook Users

Data443’s Cyren Inbox Protection Manager provides layered email security protection with multiple capabilities to adapt to the different work habits of those using Outlook. User-powered reporting is a mechanism that uses the wisdom of crowd to enable users to improve threat detection by reporting emails that were misclassified.

This tool acts as a guardian and organizer of email communication. Its interface is a seamless add-in designed for ease of use in regular Outlook functionality. With this email security tool, individuals can benefit from a safer and better organized electronic mail service.

Email Management Tools That Save Time

In today’s hectic world, Data443’s Cyren IPM can act like the guardian of time and accelerate email handling as part of a layered email security solution with actions that are just one click away – a small action that can make a huge difference.

With its pinnable task pane feature, this tool acts like a steady assistant in workflow management by keeping the controls for better email management always in view.

On-Demand Scanning And Risk Analysis

Data443’s Cyren Inbox Protection Manager gives Outlook users added control of their email security with its on-demand scanning spam filtering capability that identifies and stops malicious emails with the click of a button. Every scan includes a detailed risk analysis report that provides insight into potential threats and contributes to the layered approach to protect email communication.