Beware of These Email Subject Lines for Potential Ransomware Attack

Last year, we shared 10 steps to take when (not if) your organization is hit with a ransomware attack. Now that several months have passed, the number of malicious cyber attacks that have plagued IT professionals has grown exponentially. The stakes have never been higher. Public services, financial data, and protected health information are all in jeopardy when such widespread security compromises take place.As it was in our first blog post, phishing is still the preferred mode of attack for hackers. Recently, security awareness training firm, KnowBe4 shared results from their quarterly top-clicked phishing tests. Below is their list of Top 10 General Email Subjects.

1. Security Alert
2. Revised Vacation & Sick Time Policy
3. UPS Label Delivery 1ZBE312TNY00015011
4. BREAKING: United Airlines Passenger Dies from Brain Hemorrhage
5. A Delivery Attempt was made
6. All Employees: Update your Healthcare Info
7. Change of Password Required Immediately
8. Password Check Required Immediately
9. Unusual sign-in activity
10. Urgent Action Required

According to KnowBe4, the listed subject lines make it through most corporate filters and leverage multiple psychological triggers, which prompt users to open the messages. As an IT professional in charge of website maintenance, you must be proactive in educating your users to question the intent of such messages before they make the first click.QliqSOFT is more than just a provider of secure texting solutions, we are company built from the ground up with security as our top priority. If you would like to learn more about using our solution as a viable clinical communication tool before, during, and after a ransomware attack, schedule a free demo HERE.