Email security threat is a major and the most frequent cyber security threat for organisations. There are different kinds of email security threats like spoofing, ransomware, spam emails, malware, phishing, business email compromise and more. A 2019 report by AIG reported Business Email Compromise and Malware as the top cyber email threats.

What is Business Email Compromise (BEC)?

BEC is an email you receive from a familiar email ID, asking you to send sensitive information or to transfer money. The sender’s email ID could be your CEO’s or a colleague’s. Phishing emails (phishing email is an email which is likely a scam) with attachments or links can also be dangerous and can be linked to business email compromise as clicking on the links or attachments can provide access to your inbox. It is difficult to identify these kinds of emails and you often fall as prey to the attackers who use advanced social engineering and research to trick you. 

A recent report from USA/FBI shows an increase in these kinds of emails and it has doubled in the last two years. Also, an Email Security Risk Assessment report stated that BEC has increased by 269% in the last quadrant. The inbox findings show more than 25 million spam emails and more than 50,000 malware and dangerous files. 

The best way to prevent BEC from happening is to not respond to not click on suspicious links and attachments or send account details, company data or sensitive information to the other person without cross-checking with the concerned person. 

What is Ransomware? 

Ransomware is a common form of cyber-attack which is mainly infected by email phishing method. The attacker sends an email with an attachment or link that could bring malware to the device. When this happens, malware blocks access to the operating system or local drives or data which can be accessed only when the attacker is paid a ransom. Chubb’s Cyber InFocus Report of 2019 reported 18% increase in ransomware attacks and the number of attacks is increasing. 

The best way to prevent ransomware attack is by avoiding to click or download from malicious links. But realistically it is not achievable considering the number of emails one has to deal with every day. But what you could do is to have AI-based ACRONIS backup solution that provides backup which can be recovered in case of data loss and a certain level of ransomware protection that protects you from the first symptoms of unknown attacks. 

There is no technology available in the market that can protect you completely from ransomware and BEC. However, having ACRONIS data backup is something you can rely on. At least when you are subjected to ransomware you have your data backup which saves you from paying the ransom.