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Cybersecurity Awareness Month, launched by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, runs every October to promote best practices in digital safety. It emphasizes basic hygiene such as strong passwords, regular software updates, and multi‑factor authentication—steps that directly protect email accounts from compromise. Phishing attempts occur roughly every 39 seconds, and 90 % of breaches stem from human error, making awareness crucial. Organizations can boost resilience by integrating training into daily routines and encouraging staff to verify suspicious messages. Check your DMARC alignment with Palisade’s Email Security Score tool.
On October 4, a global outage knocked Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp offline for about six hours, disrupting millions of small businesses that rely on these platforms for marketing and customer outreach. The downtime translated into revenue losses ranging from a few hundred to several thousand dollars per affected company. While the outage didn’t directly affect email servers, many businesses shifted to email for urgent notifications, highlighting the need for robust email channels. The incident underscored the risk of over‑reliance on a single platform for communication. Validate your SPF records with Palisade’s SPF checker.
Internet shutdowns are deliberate cuts to online access imposed by governments to control information flow. In 2021, such shutdowns occurred at least 50 times worldwide, silencing dissent and limiting access to essential services, including email. When connectivity is blocked, employees cannot send or receive critical messages, delaying incident response and business operations. These actions demonstrate why organizations should maintain alternative communication paths and offline email backups. Verify your DKIM setup with Palisade’s DKIM tool.
TangleBot is a sophisticated Android malware first spotted in September 2021 that spreads via SMS links. Once installed, it harvests sensitive data, records audio, accesses the camera, tracks location, and steals login credentials. The bot targets users in the U.S. and Canada, turning everyday smartphones into espionage tools. Its capabilities illustrate the expanding attack surface beyond traditional email vectors, urging organizations to enforce mobile security policies. Learn how BIMI can improve brand trust in email.
In October 2021, Google announced the creation of an Action Team dedicated to enhancing security across hybrid environments. The team provides strategic advisory services for small businesses, government agencies, and critical infrastructure, focusing on secure email, data protection, and threat intelligence. Google also pledged a $10 billion investment over five years to expand its Career Certificate program, training 100 000 Americans for entry‑level tech roles. These initiatives aim to raise the overall security posture of organizations that rely on Google Workspace for email. Assess your email security posture with Palisade.
Microsoft partnered with U.S. community colleges to offer free cybersecurity training to over 25 000 students and educators. The goal is to fill 250 000 cybersecurity jobs in the next four years and broaden awareness of secure email practices. Community colleges provide affordable, flexible education, making them ideal pipelines for talent. By equipping graduates with skills in threat detection and email protection, the program strengthens the overall workforce. Start securing your inbox with Palisade’s tools.
Trend Micro’s September 2021 report showed Business Email Compromise (BEC) detections rose to 22 % of all email threats, up from 5 % at the start of the year. Name spoofing accounted for 64 % of attacks in the Americas, targeting executives to steal financial data. BEC scams are difficult to detect because they often involve legitimate‑looking requests. Organizations must implement strict verification processes and monitor for anomalous email activity. Get a free email security assessment from Palisade.
Since May 2021, Google blocked 1.6 million phishing emails linked to a campaign that hijacked YouTube accounts and promoted cryptocurrency scams. The operation used over 1 000 malicious domains impersonating popular tech sites to deliver login‑stealing malware. Attackers sent roughly 15 000 fake accounts and millions of messages to lure victims. Google’s takedown effort highlights the importance of vigilant email filtering and domain authentication. Secure your domain with Palisade’s SPF tool.
In October 2021, Europol dismantled an organized crime group of 106 members after a year‑long investigation. The group conducted phishing attacks, SIM swapping, and bank fraud, stealing confidential information worldwide. Such operations demonstrate the scale of coordinated email‑based fraud. Continuous monitoring, employee training, and robust authentication are essential defenses. Strengthen your DKIM signatures with Palisade.
To protect against the threats highlighted in October 2021, firms should adopt a layered security approach: enforce DMARC, DKIM, and SPF policies; enable multi‑factor authentication; and conduct regular phishing simulations. Monitoring tools that score email security can identify gaps, while BIMI adds visual brand verification for recipients. Ongoing training and incident response planning ensure rapid mitigation of breaches. Partnering with Palisade gives access to comprehensive email security tools and expert guidance. Explore Palisade’s full suite of email protection solutions.
DMARC helps verify that incoming messages are authorized by the domain owner, preventing spoofed emails from reaching inboxes. It works alongside SPF and DKIM to provide a comprehensive authentication framework. Implementing DMARC reduces phishing success rates and protects brand reputation. Palisade offers an easy‑to‑use DMARC monitoring tool to track compliance.
BIMI (Brand Indicators for Message Identification) displays a verified brand logo next to authenticated emails, giving recipients visual confidence. When combined with DMARC enforcement, BIMI can significantly improve open rates and reduce phishing clicks. Palisade’s BIMI service guides you through logo certification and implementation.
Start by enforcing strict DMARC, SPF, and DKIM policies, and require multi‑factor authentication for all privileged accounts. Conduct regular staff training on social engineering tactics and verify any financial requests through a secondary channel. Use email security gateways that detect anomalous patterns. Palisade provides BEC detection alerts as part of its suite.
Yes—malware like TangleBot can capture credentials stored on smartphones, granting attackers access to corporate email accounts. Enforce mobile device management (MDM) policies, require encrypted device storage, and educate users about suspicious links. Regularly audit mobile app permissions and use secure email clients.
When a government blocks internet access, email delivery can be delayed or halted, disrupting business operations. Maintaining offline email archives and alternative communication methods (e.g., SMS gateways) ensures continuity. Planning for redundancy and using secure, locally hosted email servers can mitigate these risks.
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