University of Kwazulu-Natal

Think Before You Click Essential Cybersecurity Awareness Tips

Bonisiwe Shabane
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think before you click essential cybersecurity awareness tips

In today’s digital world, every click matters. While the internet offers boundless opportunities, it also presents risks—especially when cybercriminals are waiting for just one moment of distraction to exploit vulnerabilities. Protecting sensitive data starts with awareness, and by adopting safe online practices, you can stay one step ahead of cyber threats. If you receive an email, link, or attachment from an unknown sender, take a moment to verify its authenticity. Cyber attackers often disguise malicious links within seemingly legitimate emails. Always double-check before clicking.

Phishing emails are designed to trick you into revealing personal or company-sensitive information. Look for warning signs like: Before clicking on a hyperlink, hover your mouse over it to preview the actual URL. If it looks unusual or doesn’t match the expected website, avoid clicking it. Always navigate to official websites by typing the URL directly into your browser. Never enter personal information into pop-ups or unexpected login pages.

If prompted to enter sensitive data, verify the legitimacy of the request by checking the official website or contacting the sender through a trusted method. Cybersecurity incidents rarely begin with highly sophisticated attacks. More often, they originate from something far more routine: a simple click. In fact, 90% of all cyberattacks start with a phishing email. This carelessness may result in disclosing internal networks, stealing essential data, and damaging the finances of the companies and their reputation, which could be just caused by one click through a bad link or... So what can organizations do to address this deceptively small but profoundly risky behavior?

Building a strong digital mindfulness practice among people is the answer. Think before you click, which should become a habit across different teams, processes, and policies. In modern times, things like misspelled words and questionable links are not always signs of phishing and social engineering. Now, cybercriminals can create messages that are meant for one target, which makes them easy to miss by typical security filters. The result is a threat landscape where even the most vigilant teams can be caught off guard. Many enterprises with lots of exchanged emails often overlook these simple attacks.

By Mr. Sundar Balasubramanian, Managing Director, Check Point Software Technologies, India & South Asia October marks Cyber security Awareness Month, an annual initiative designed to help everyone stay safer and more secure online. In today’s digital landscape, cyber threats are constantly evolving, targeting individuals and organizations alike with increasingly sophisticated tactics. Whether you’re scrolling social media, checking emails, or downloading apps, cyber criminals are always looking for new ways to exploit vulnerabilities. The threat landscape is as broad as your web presence.

According to the Press Information Bureau, cyber security incidents in India rose sharply from 10.29 lakh in 2022 to 22.68 lakh in 2024, underlining how fast attack surfaces are expanding across digital platforms. As per Check Point’s Threat Intelligence Report, Indian organizations face an average of 3,247 cyberattacks per week over the last 6 months, nearly double the global average of 1,981. Organizations must contend with AI-driven attacks that are growing in scale and sophistication day by day. It’s no longer enough to react – cyber security strategies must be prevention-first. That’s why raising awareness about cyber security isn’t just important — it’s essential for protecting your personal information, financial data, and digital identity. 1.

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Media Contact: Bob NicholasVice President | Marketing & Sales Enablement248-442-6640 | rnicholas@amerisure.com In today’s fast-paced business environment, digital engagement is an integral part of daily operations. However, this reliance on technology has led to a rise in cybersecurity incidents targeting sensitive personal information, proprietary data, and financial transactions, including insurance premium payments. Recent reports indicate that U.S. businesses lost over $12.5 billion to cybercrime in 2023—a 22% increase from the previous year. At Amerisure, safeguarding your information is a top priority, especially during Cybersecurity Month.

To support you in navigating these challenges, we’ve compiled key cybersecurity insights, common threats, and essential reminders to help mitigate risks. Email Phishing: A Gateway for Cyber Attacks Every day, countless businesses fall victim to phishing attacks—one of the most effective tools in a cybercriminal’s arsenal. These deceptive emails are designed to trick you into clicking on malicious links, downloading harmful attachments, or sharing sensitive credentials. Once they gain access, attackers can steal data, install malware, or even initiate fraudulent transactions that cost companies millions. Discover the range of PCI Security Standards and where to find additional resources.

Verify or search for a PCI Qualified Professional. Select the qualification that best suits your needs. Locate approved devices and payment solutions for use at the point of sale, and point-to-point encryption solutions to protect cardholder data. Learn more about PCI SSC’s Training & Qualification programs, class schedules, registration information, corporate group training and knowledge training. Attend PCI SSC upcoming Community Meetings, programs, webcasts, and industry events where we are speaking. Joining Strada as the new Chief Information Security Officer during Cybersecurity Awareness Month is an excellent opportunity to focus on a topic close to my heart: staying safe online.

I’ve worked in cybersecurity for years, and I’m excited to help build a security strategy that not only meets Strada’s business needs but also empowers every individual in our company to navigate the digital... When it comes to cybersecurity, knowledge is power. That’s why our company, like many others, includes security awareness training in our onboarding process and regular compliance courses. However, to be truly effective, training should be targeted to each person’s role. We aim to ensure that each team member receives just the right amount of security information for their job without overwhelming them with unnecessary details. This way, everyone is well-prepared to identify potential risks without sacrificing time that could be spent on their core responsibilities.

Here are a few key tips to help everyone stay safe online, whether you’re at work or at home.

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