Most of us know about phishing emails… those poorly written messages that promise you a million pounds if you just click the link?
Or that tell you your account has been compromised, so you need to reconfirm your details. Yeah, those. But our cyber adversaries are evolving. They’re skipping the writing class and going straight to art school!
According to cybersecurity firm Check Point, cyber criminals are now using large, promotional images instead of text in their phishing attempts.
Imagine getting an email that looks like it’s from Amazon or John Lewis with a big image of an offer. But when you click on it, instead of being whisked away to a world of retail therapy, you’re sent to a fake website that looks like the store but isn’t. It’s designed to steal your passwords and other sensitive info. Talk about a buzzkill.
And these hackers are smart. They’re impersonating big brands, offering gift cards and loyalty programs as bait.
The worst part? These image-based attacks can even bypass safety measures used by Gmail, Outlook, and other email services. So, your trusty spam filter might not save you this time.
But don’t panic! There are ways to protect yourself:
Check the sender’s address: If it looks fishy (pun intended), it probably is.
Don’t click on links or download attachments from suspicious emails: If you must, hover your mouse over the link to see where it leads.
Keep calm and carry on: Cyber criminals often try to create a sense of urgency to make you act without thinking. Don’t fall for it!
So, keep your eyes peeled for these picture-perfect phishing attempts, and if you want any further advice from me and my team, get in touch.
#CyberSecurity #PhishingScam #NewTactics
