Network security is one of the most significant concerns of IT professionals and a vulnerability that regular web users must be conscious of. Now, more than ever, it merits attention, especially since more individuals are integrating their lives online daily–sharing personal information on web databases.
Because if scammers exist offline, they’ve also found their way into the digital space. The most popular channels they hack into? Social media and emails.
A robust network security defends your network against hackers who carry out phishing attacks. Phishing, typically executed through emails, is an attempt to steal sensitive information such as bank accounts and credit card information, passwords, usernames, etc.
A firewall could be your first line of defence against this threat, and in this article, we will explore what it generally is and how it helps against phishing.
Understanding Phishing Attacks
Phishing is a cybersecurity threat–a malicious trick that manipulates people into revealing confidential information that compromises their or their organisation’s network security. Attackers mask themselves as trusted or reputable contacts, luring users as if catching a fish through the bait of an enticing request.
So, how does the attack work? What happens in a typical phishing scam?
This social engineering attack occurs via emails, text-based, or instant messaging. First, the scammer acquires your contact information and then sends phishing messages. Typically, they incorporate a sense of urgency in the content for users to respond with personal information.
The part where you enter information is where the attacker collects and uses it for personal use or sells it to others. It is where scammers obtain an individual’s data, such as your financial accounts, login credentials, and more.
How? Hackers deceive the recipient of the phishing message by encouraging them to click a link or a file, which may lead to a malware installation, a fake website, etc.
Here’s an example of email verification phishing to help you better understand how attacks work.
Mount Saint Vincent University
In this email sample, not only will the users' privacy be compromised, but so will the institution they belong to. Do take note of the message's red flag—for the one above, it’s the poor punctuation and grammar, the urgency and threatening tone, and the link used.
Introduction to Firewalls: Your Network’s Frontline Defence
While attackers have continuously devised new methods to infiltrate network systems, our defences haven't stayed stagnant. Of course, networking experts are also finding ways to stop them, and that’s where a firewall steps in.
A firewall is your system’s initial protection. It monitors outgoing and incoming network traffic and then filters it based on preset rules. Its goal is to create a barrier or a layer of protection to your internal network and block incoming malicious traffic that carries viruses.
Think of it as a security checkpoint in an airport–verifying passports and searching thoroughly on X-ray scanners if a passenger carries malicious items or weapons.
More so, a firewall can be hardware (usually through your router or modem) or software (typically running in your computer)
For businesses, a firewall presents an opportunity to dodge away from cybersecurity threats, which is vital for their network security and for protecting crucial information related to their brand. It can help owners block unauthorised web users from reaching their private networks, upholding their business’s safety and reputation.
Other firewall capabilities include inspecting and looking for worms, spam, and viruses, as well as recording intrusion attempts and violations of brand policies. This allows you to examine attempts and take necessary action to prevent impending attacks.
Firewall FortiGate Offers Unmatched Network Security
Firewall FortiGate offers businesses an advanced shield against phishing attacks. This next-gen firewall from Fortinet utilises purpose-built security processors and threat intelligence from FortiGuard. It assesses information that flows in your network. The data then undergoes a safety check before passing through your business.
Some of Firewall FortiGate’s general and notable features include:
- Powerful threat protection and reliable security ratings. Take advantage of antivirus, application control, and web filtering that increase network security and protection against malware. Additionally, Firewall FortiGate also applies best practices in security measures.
- Risk assessment automation. Automating auditing and workflow removes additional work for your IT department while ensuring consistency and accuracy in filtering malicious activities.
- Flexible management of security assets. You can manage assets regardless of location. Additionally, you can share threats across the cybersecurity architecture and provide quick action and protection.
- Certified threat intelligence. It allows you to ensure you are safe from known and unknown attacks.
For mid-sized to large enterprises, here are our Firewall FortiGate recommendations:
Both protect your network against cyber threats, providing security processor-powered high performance, security efficacy and deep visibility.
Prevention is Another Layer of Protection Against Phishing
Indeed, a firewall acts like a strong shield, keeping out phishing attacks by checking emails, websites, and attachments for suspicious activity. But it won’t hurt to be aware of phishing prevention measures to ensure maximum protection for your network.
You can also do this with the FortiGate firewall.
Businesses can leverage FortiGate to prevent credential phishing attacks, a type of cyberattack that attempts to trick users into revealing their login credentials. If you turn on credential phishing protection on your FortiGate device, it will watch for company login details sent to websites outside your network and check these details against a list of essential logins stored on your company's domain controller.
If there's a match, FortiGate can either block the website entirely or warn the user that it might be a phishing attempt.
The Perfect Time to Invest in a Strong Firewall Solution is Now
You’ll never know when you’ll get attacked.
While user awareness and employee training are essential to avoid phishing attacks, the extra defence that a firewall offers will make a difference as an added layer of protection. Firewalls bring you peace of mind, avoiding the risks of someone in your company falling into the phishing trap.
Prioritising network security is crucial, especially if you’re a business committed to protecting confidential information in your brand operations. Strengthening your defences against cyber threats is essential, and you can do this with expert insights or a network system integrator specialising in firewall solutions.
Net-source comprises networking experts and is a leading global supplier of networking equipment. If you want to take the additional step in improving your business’s network security, contact us. We may have a firewall solution for your business.