Phishing emails look like legitimate emails but are usually sent by a fake email addresses designed to look like real ones — the addresses may only be one or two letters off from the ones they are mimicking. VUMC officials said recent phishing attempts at the hospital used stolen or falsified names of their employees.
According to the July 24 alert, a recent phishing attempt used “an employee’s name in an email to a colleague to encourage the recipient to quickly purchase and send along check cards.”
The cybersecurity unit told employees to be on the lookout for emails that may be phishing attempts. The unit reminded employees not to share their online passwords with anyone, and to only click on links or open attachments in emails after verifying the sender’s identity.
Phishing email attacks have grown 33 percent since 2016 in the five most targeted industries, which includes healthcare, the unit stated in its alert.
More articles on cybersecurity:
5 privacy concerns for Amazon’s healthcare efforts
UnityPoint Health could be sued for data breach affecting 1.4M
Atlanta’s ransomware attack may cost the city $17M
At the Becker's 11th Annual IT + Revenue Cycle Conference: The Future of AI & Digital Health, taking place September 14–17 in Chicago, healthcare executives and digital leaders from across the country will come together to explore how AI, interoperability, cybersecurity, and revenue cycle innovation are transforming care delivery, strengthening financial performance, and driving the next era of digital health. Apply for complimentary registration now.