Webinar about achieving phishing resilience through prevention and response

The importance of cyber-resilience

Alert Online is a network initiative by the Dutch government's economics and climate ministry. Network members are committed to improving cybersecurity and cyber-resilience in the Netherlands by working with the business community, government entities and the general public, especially during European Cybersecurity Month, which takes place each October. The recent webinar made a significant contribution to educating SeniorWeb volunteers about the latest trends in phishing and how to keep yourself and others safe from scammers.

Phishing: a constant danger

One of the speakers, the Fraud Help Desk's Eunice Bom, made the point that phishing is an ever-present danger. More than 20 years after it first became prevalent, phishing remains a significant hazard for internet users. With the tactics used by scammers becoming more and more sophisticated, it's important to understand how phishing works, and how you can keep yourself and others safe from scammers. What's more, as SeniorWeb's Hans Straatman emphasised, older people are particularly likely to be targeted. A poll held during the webinar found that, over the last 12 months, a majority of participants had helped SeniorWeb members who had fallen victim to phishing scams, while 11 per cent of the volunteers reported doing so at least once a month.

Key lessons from the webinar

The webinar highlighted the key lessons to be learnt, and provided practical advice on recognising and preventing phishing scams. The main tips were:

1. Always stay alert

Phishing scams can take many different forms and use many different channels, including e-mail, text messages and even phone calls. Always be suspicious of any unexpected request to provide personal data or bank details.

2. Check the sender's address

At first sight, many phishing messages look as if they are from reputable organisations. However, when you look closely at the e-mail address or domain, you'll often see inconsistencies. So, always check the address that a message actually comes from.

3. Use security software

Antivirus and anti-phishing software can help keep you safe by blocking suspect messages and dangerous links. Such software is an important first line of defence against cybercrime.

4. Share your knowledge

Cybersecurity knowledge is a powerful weapon against phishing. So, by sharing what you've learnt with your friends, family and colleagues, you're helping to keep other people safe from scammers.

5. Don't take risks

Never click a link in a message you're not sure about, and don't open attachments from senders you don't know. Those simple-sounding precautions are among the most effective ways of staying safe.

Want to catch up on the webinar? The Dutch-language event was recorded, and the recording is free to view on the OnlineSeminar website.