Phishing scams targeting employees’ job satisfaction and organizations’ benefit promises are on the rise, according to email security provider Cofense. These scams employ various enticing tactics, such as pay raises [1] [2] [3], promotions [1] [2] [3], holiday bonuses [1] [2] [3], employee assessments [3], satisfaction surveys [3], retirement benefits [3], and open enrollment notifications [3]. One particularly cunning method involves using QR codes to direct employees to phishing sites where they unwittingly enter their email login credentials on their smartphones. Additionally, these phishing emails may feature the logo of SharePoint [1] [2] [3], a widely used Microsoft web-based platform for document sharing and storage. To combat this growing threat, Cofense advises organizations to establish a clear notification schedule to help employees distinguish legitimate emails.
Description
Phishing scams are exploiting employees’ desires for job satisfaction and organizations’ promises of benefits [1] [2] [3], warns email security provider Cofense [1] [2] [3]. These scams often use attractive lures like pay raises [1] [2] [3], promotions [1] [2] [3], holiday bonuses [1] [2] [3], employee assessments [3], satisfaction surveys [3], retirement benefits [3], and open enrollment notifications [3]. One tactic involves using a QR code to lead employees to a phishing site where they enter their email login credentials on their smartphones [1] [2] [3]. The phishing emails may also include the logo of SharePoint [1] [2] [3], a popular Microsoft web-based platform for sharing and storing documents [1] [3]. Cofense recommends that organizations establish a clear schedule for these notifications to help employees recognize legitimate emails [3].
Conclusion
These phishing scams pose a significant threat to both employees and organizations. Falling victim to such scams can result in compromised personal and sensitive information, financial loss, and reputational damage. To mitigate these risks, organizations must prioritize employee education and awareness about phishing tactics and provide regular training on how to identify and report suspicious emails. Additionally, implementing robust email security measures, such as multi-factor authentication and advanced threat detection systems, can help prevent successful phishing attacks. As phishing techniques continue to evolve, organizations must remain vigilant and adapt their security strategies accordingly to safeguard their employees and sensitive data.
References
[1] https://flyytech.com/2024/01/13/waiting-for-your-pay-raise-cofense-warns-against-hr-related-scams/
[2] https://www.infosecurity-magazine.com/news/pay-raise-cofense-hr-scams-report/
[3] https://ciso2ciso.com/waiting-for-your-pay-raise-cofense-warns-against-hr-related-scams-source-www-infosecurity-magazine-com/
