Phishing is one of the oldest internet threats and remains a major security problem within this environment. Since it doesn't require sophisticated resources to victimize people and steal their information, this cyber threat is combated with numerous tools, such as DNS firewalls.
This strategy does not require extensive technical knowledge and can be disseminated through various platforms. Phishing is one of the most common cyberattacks and can cause numerous problems for companies and users . In addition to diverting confidential information, this threat also allows the implementation of malicious files and viruses on devices, causing technical problems and service unavailability.
Understand how phishing can harm your business:
For this reason, it is very important that companies prepare to deal with this threat in the best possible way , relying on the best tools on the market to prevent this trap from causing problems for the business. See below for the full content and discover how a DNS firewall can help your company ensure its digital security.
What is phishing?
Phishing , confidential documents, and even to install malicious software. Using social engineering , cybercriminals develop fake emails impersonating trusted companies to deceive their victims.
One of the most common strategies used in this scam involves simulating emails from financial institutions and e-commerce sites , leading the user to believe it's a legitimate contact. This email usually includes a malicious link that redirects the victim to a fake page or causes them to download a malicious file.
Because it is a simplified strategy, phishing continues to be widely used by cybercriminals to carry out scams and steal confidential information. According to a report by Kaspersky , in 2022 Brazil suffered approximately 76,000 attempted frauds through phishing attacks.
This same report presented worrying data regarding the distribution of malicious messages, demonstrating that cybercriminals are using WhatsApp, Telegram, and Viber to maintain an even more comprehensive strategy for distributing fake messages . This data shows how phishing is still an active threat and must be combated through more efficient security strategies.
Is it possible to avoid phishing?
First, we need to understand that phishing, despite being a simplified threat, can also cause immeasurable damage to companies. Since the emergence of the General Data Protection Law , concern for the confidentiality of sensitive information has become a priority within businesses.
Therefore, it became necessary for companies to implement more sophisticated resources to block unauthorized access attempts, as well as to prevent users from creating vulnerabilities in the company's networks and devices.
In addition to establishing an internet usage policy , it is necessary to implement some rules of conduct that help to avoid a large portion of malicious contacts, such as:
Keep an eye on email addresses and contact information.
Although cybercriminals can create emails that closely resemble those used by legitimate companies, it is impossible to properly disguise sender emails and contact information. While the threat successfully replicates the institution's name and visual characteristics , the sender's address does not have a real connection to the institution and is easily identifiable.
A valuable tip is to check for a long extension in the email address, containing abbreviations or numbers. It's also important to verify the content after the "@" symbol; that is, whether it's truly a corporate email or a regular email account, which deserves even more attention.
Spelling errors
It is very common to find very obvious spelling errors within phishing emails. Legitimate companies rarely make grammatical or spelling mistakes, so the presence of either can indicate a phishing .
Be careful with links and files.
It is very important to avoid clicking on links sent via email from untrusted senders, as well as any attachments . In addition to impersonating companies and financial institutions, cybercriminals can also access your contact list and disguise their fake emails as someone from your family, friends, or work colleagues.
These links can redirect you to fake pages and trick you into providing login credentials or banking information , causing significant harm to you and the company. The attachments, on the other hand, may be malicious files that corrupt devices and steal information.
Phishing attacks are becoming more sophisticated.
For many years, this type of threat arose from the lack of knowledge and preparedness of internet users. For this reason, even the simplest attempts were successful, relying on the victims' lack of knowledge.
However, over the years phishing attacks have become more targeted. Using social engineering, cybercriminals have developed more personalized traps to target victims and users of specific companies and organizations.
Depending on the criminal's objective, social media data can be collected to construct an assertive and efficient trap , creating a realistic email and targeting a specific victim. Personal information is used in the construction of this email or contact attempt, making access to links or downloading attachments more likely.
The improvement in cybercriminals' strategies has also been aided by the emergence of new technologies, making these threats increasingly difficult to detect , as is the case with automation resources. This allows cybercriminals to send millions of phishing emails simultaneously.
Use technology as an ally.
In addition to implementing these precautions into the company's routine, it is also necessary to have technological resources that help keep networks and devices more protected, such as a DNS firewall. Although there are anti-phishing measures that help reduce the incidence of this type of attack, in most cases this strategy is insufficient.
This is because there are some problems that are easily circumvented by cybercriminals, such as:
- Cybercriminals can easily generate new fraudulent domains, so URLs on the blacklist are unable to keep up with current threats.
- Email filtering relies on inspecting content , signatures, and display names.
- Even with employee education programs, it is still possible for vulnerabilities to emerge.
- Business email compromise filters can only be applied to email tools , disregarding threats that may arrive through web pages, applications, and social networks.
- Among other problems.
For this reason, DNS firewalls have proven to be a complete and well-structured tool for detecting and controlling phishing threats within your company. With increasingly sophisticated and structured threats, it is essential to have the right tool to keep your company and your data always protected.
What is a DNS firewall?
A DNS Firewall is a security tool that uses filters and access blocking systems to protect your company's devices and network. This feature optimizes your security strategy and helps block potential virus and malware infections, which can cause significant damage to your business.
Web content filtering is a feature used to establish assertive control over access to the company network, blocking access to certain types of content. This tool allows managers to customize rules and restrictions according to the company's needs.
Due to its features, the DNS firewall represents an advancement in the evolution of security, control, and access monitoring processes within companies. Unlike a traditional firewall, this feature blocks user redirection and prevents the loss and leakage of data stored by the company.
Using the most modern tools and resources available today, the DNS firewall allows for the isolation of devices considered compromised. This ensures that the company has access to an automated threat feed, providing valuable information about attacks and malicious access . Therefore, the DNS firewall:
- It prevents access to harmful pages;
- Blocks fake or malicious ads;
- It blocks links considered malicious;
- It prevents data leaks and theft from the company;
- Blocks the installation of unwanted software;
- And much more.
Given the high effectiveness of cyber threats, it is crucial to implement solutions and review security measures to protect business data . A DNS firewall can be a valuable ally in this strategy, building an extra layer of protection on your business networks and devices.
How does a DNS firewall work against phishing threats?
As we have seen, phishing is a threat that continues to grow significantly over the years , making it necessary to implement more assertive and comprehensive solutions to avoid the damage it causes. A DNS firewall functions as a complete solution that can bring numerous advantages to a business:
Real-time threat blocking
This tool can automatically identify phishing emails and websites and immediately block them on the company's network. This feature does not rely on a blacklist or lists of malicious patterns to identify and block these threats , instead relying on constant, real-time threat monitoring.
Identifying threats faster
Thanks to the continuous analysis that the DNS firewall performs on your company's devices and networks, it's possible to identify potential threats more quickly, preventing them from causing any problems for your business. Its technology allows for simultaneous identification and blocking , ensuring that potential threats cannot establish themselves or cause problems for your business.
Full coverage
Unlike some anti-phishing tools on the market, the DNS firewall provides universal coverage. This means it can identify and block email links, documents, applications, search engine results, web pages, and much more, all through web content filtering.
Effectiveness
Since the DNS firewall is based on the domain name system, this tool achieves superior results compared to other solutions on the market. Its technology prevents evasion through content alterations, domain name spoofing, and social engineering in a predictive manner .
We know that cyber threats advance alongside technological tools, making it necessary to find increasingly modern solutions to ensure data protection within a company . The DNS firewall represents an advancement in the protection mechanisms currently used, proving to be an up-to-date tool against the main threats.
Combining this feature with your security strategy will make all the difference in protecting your company's data. Predictive solutions will help your business block threats before they cause any impact or damage.
Use the appropriate solution.
Given the many cyber threats surrounding the digital environment today, it is crucial that companies implement more efficient solutions to keep their data protected. These threats can cause immeasurable damage to businesses, such as service unavailability, fines, and permanent interruption of operations.
For this reason, adopting strategic solutions can make all the difference in protecting the data and information stored by the company. The DNS Firewall has optimized features and an intuitive platform to help your company stay away from problems caused by phishing.
