A business email compromise (BEC) is a type of cyberattack in which an attacker compromises a business email account in order to defraud the company or its employees. The attacker will typically use the account to send spoofed emails that appear to be from the legitimate account holder, in order to trick the recipient into sending money or sensitive information.
BEC attacks are often targeted at high-level executives or employees who have access to sensitive information or large amounts of money. The attacker will often do research on the target beforehand in order to craft a convincing email that will trick the victim.
BEC attacks can have a devastating financial impact on a company, as well as causing reputational damage. It is important for companies to have robust security measures in place to protect against these attacks, such as two-factor authentication and training employees on how to spot suspicious emails.
What is an example of a business email compromise?
A business email compromise is when an attacker gains access to a business email account and uses it to send fraudulent emails. For example, the attacker may send emails pretending to be from the CEO or other senior executives, asking for sensitive information or money. This can be devastating for a business, as it can lead to financial loss and damage to reputation.
How does a BEC attack work?
A BEC attack (also known as a business email compromise attack) is a type of cyberattack where the attacker impersonates a high-level executive or other employee in order to trick victims into transferring money or sensitive information to them. These attacks are often carried out by sending spoofed emails or other communications that appear to be from a legitimate sender.
BEC attacks are notoriously difficult to detect, as they often involve little to no malicious code or other red flags. In many cases, the only way to know that an attack has taken place is through a post-mortem analysis of email logs or other communications records.
There are a few key things that you can do to protect yourself from BEC attacks:
- Be suspicious of any unsolicited requests for money or sensitive information, even if they appear to be from a legitimate sender.
- Verify the identity of the sender before sending any money or information. This can be done by calling them directly or by checking to see if the email address used matches the one on their website or business card.
- Do not click on any links or attachments in suspicious emails.
- Be wary of any unexpected or unusual communication patterns, such as a sudden increase in phone calls or emails from someone purporting to be a high-level executive.
What are some identifiers of a BEC attack?
There are many identifiers of a BEC attack, but some of the most common ones are:
1. Unusual or unexpected emails coming from seemingly legitimate sources. These emails may contain requests for sensitive information or financial transfers.
2. Emails that contain typos or grammatical errors, which is a common indicator that the email is not from a legitimate source.
3. Emails that are addressed to multiple recipients, or recipients who are not familiar with each other.
4. Emails that contain attachments or links that you were not expecting, or that seem out of place.
5. Any email that makes you feel uneasy or that you are not sure about. If something seems off, it probably is.
If you receive any of these types of emails, do not respond to them or click on any links or attachments. Instead, report them to your IT department or security team. Should I be worried if my email is on the dark web? If your email address is on the dark web, it is possible that your account has been compromised. However, it is also possible that your email address was simply leaked in a data breach and is being sold on the dark web. Either way, you should take steps to secure your account and change your password. If you believe your account has been compromised, you should also contact your email provider.