A link is supplied in the email that directs the user to a site where they have to enter their password and a replacement. Office phishing scams are now common. A user is directed to a spoofed website where they are presented with a standard Office login box, which they need to enter to open a shared file for example. The lures are diverse, although there is usually a valid reason for providing login credentials, urgency, and often a threat — The failure to take action will result in harm or loss.
This is a much more long-winded approach that can require thousands of attempts before the password is guessed. This technique is automated and made easier by poor password choices and the failure to change default passwords. Passwords obtained in previous breaches can be used, which will catch out people who use the same passwords for multiple platforms. A man-in-the-middle attack involves an attacker intercepting information such as a password when it is sent between two parties.
Information can be intercepted in unencrypted emails or when a user logs into a web-based platform via their browser. Man-in-the-middle attacks are common on unsecured public Wi-Fi networks and evil twin Wi-Fi hotspots — Hotspots that mimic a genuine hotspot provider, such as a coffee shop or hotel.
Any information transmitted via that hotspot can be easily intercepted. Many businesses have implemented password polices that require the use of strong and difficult to remember passwords. As a result, some employees write their passwords down on post-it notes, tape a password to their computer, or keep a note under their keyboard where any visitor to an office could discover it. These methods of hacking business email accounts are easy and inexpensive to block through low-cost cybersecurity solutions, policies and procedures, and staff training.
As we established earlier, email can provide a huge benefit for your practice, but those emails can contain sensitive information that can include PHI. Thankfully there are now vendors who can provide email encryption which range in costs and methods and can work with the dominant business email clients like Microsoft Outlook, Office and Google Apps.
Some encryption vendors like Paubox also include inbound protection against phishing attacks at costs even small practices can afford. Be sure the vendor you choose signs a Business Associate Agreement. The best thing any health provider can do is take action right away. You can start protecting your email today with Paubox Email Suite , seamless end-to-end encryption without the hassle of extra steps or portals for you or the recipients of your email.
How was my email hacked? Your computer was most likely compromised in one of four ways: You do not have up-to-date security software installed. Your passwords are weak and easily hacked. Most hackers collect passwords using malware that has been installed on your computer or mobile phone if you have a smartphone. No matter which operating system you use, be sure your anti-virus and anti-malware programs are up to date.
Choose the setting that will automatically update your computer when new security fixes are available. Strong passwords do not have to be hard to remember, they just have to be hard to guess. Make your password at least 10 characters long, and use capital letters, lower case letters, numbers, and symbols. Do not use information about yourself or someone close to you including your dog or cat! Do not use words that can be found in a dictionary, these are easy for hackers to break, even if you spell them backward.
Text messaging shortcuts can help make strong, memorable password creation easier. For example L8rL8rNot2Day! Studies show that the average email account has password-protected accounts linked to it, so it's no wonder passwords often aren't as secure as they should be.
If you use similar passwords for other accounts, change them, too. Make sure you create strong passwords that will be hard to guess.
Several popular email service providers like Gmail and Yahoo and social media websites like Facebook and Twitter give advice on how to restore and protect your account. Consider what kind of information the hacker might have seen. Hackers look for information that can help them find usernames and passwords to important sites, like online banking or retirement accounts. Consider changing the usernames and passwords for accounts that may be at risk.
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