October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month and Mister Kleen is sharing information about four key behaviors that federal agencies are promoting.

These four key cybersecurity behaviors are:

1. Create strong passwords and use a password manager  
2. Enable multi-factor authentication  
3. Update your software  
4. Recognize and report phishing attempts 

This week we’re focusing on phishing, which are scams that try to trick you into revealing confidential information or performing actions that compromise your security. 

TYPES OF PHISHING

Phishing messages are typically sent via email, text, direct message on social media or phone call. Often the messages look like they come from a trusted person or organization, to get us to respond by clicking on a link, opening an attachment, or providing personal information, such as passwords, credit card numbers, or Social Security numbers.

Phishing attacks are very common and can be very effective – anyone can be a victim, even organizations. Recently, the Florida city of Fort Lauderdale got scammed out of $1.2 million after paying what they believed to be a legitimate bill from a construction company building a new police station for the city. 

STAY SAFE FROM PHISHING

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency offers these 3 simple tips on how to avoid getting scammed:

1. Recognize. Look for these common signs:

• Urgent or emotionally appealing language, especially messages that claim dire consequences for not responding immediately
• Requests to send personal and financial information
• Untrusted shortened URLs
• Incorrect email addresses or links, like amazan.com

A common sign used to be poor grammar or misspellings, but also look out for the other signs.

2. Resist. If you suspect phishing, resist the temptation to click on links or attachments that seem too good to be true and may be trying to access your personal information. Instead, report the scam to protect yourself and others. Typically, you’ll find options to report near the person’s email address or username. You can also report via the “report spam” button in the toolbar or settings.
3. Delete. Don’t reply or click on any attachment or link, including any “unsubscribe” link. Just delete.

MISTER KLEEN SECURITY AWARENESS

Through our Employee Security Awareness Program, also known as E.S.A.P.,  Mister Kleen enhances our employees’ security awareness by training them to better identify potential threats and vulnerabilities AND how to properly report them to their onsite supervisor and security personnel. 

Mister Kleen has been a leading provider of contract cleaning services to Commercial and High-Security facilities since 1976. Our primary service area is the DC Metro region. We also provide a variety of interior and exterior specialty services. For more information, contact us at 703-719-6900.