As companies rely more heavily on digital communication, internal employees must be aware of the dangers of email spam. Not only can spam emails disrupt productivity, but they can also lead to security breaches and compromised sensitive information.

What is Internal Communication?

Internal communication (IC) refers to the methods and processes used to keep employees connected and informed within a company. This can include emails, newsletters, surveys, internal meetings, town halls, and an open-door policy.

An internal communications newsletter is an email that is sent out to all employees, segments, or teams within an organization. This form of electronic communication is designed to be timely and easy to manage, and it is the main component of an internal communication strategy.

The newsletter should aim to inform employees about company news and updates, including future activities, relevant numbers, and achievements from employees. It should also provide information about company policies, procedures, and upcoming events.

Some potential sections of an internal communications newsletter could include

• "Headlines" which summarize the main news and updates
• "From the CEO" which provides a message from the company's leadership
• "Departmental Updates" which gives news and updates from each individual department
• "Employee Spotlight" which highlights the achievements of individual employees
• "Upcoming Events" which provides information about company-wide events and activities
• "Policy Reminders" which reminds employees of important company policies and procedures

It is also important to note that internal newsletters should be visually appealing and easy to read, using headings, bullet points, and images to break up text and make it more engaging. Additionally, internal newsletters should be sent out at regular intervals, such as weekly or monthly, to keep employees informed and engaged

The Threat of Phishing

Phishing is a common tactic used by hackers to steal sensitive information through malicious emails. In fact, according to Tessian, 96% of cyberattacks come through email. There are many types of phishing, including Angler Phishing, Business Email Compromise (BEC), Evil Twin Pop-up Phishing, Clone Phishing, Domain Spoofing, Email Phishing, and Malware Phishing.

Tips for Employee Education

One way to educate employees on email spam and phishing attempts is to conduct phishing simulations and test their knowledge. This can be done by setting up a fake phishing email and tracking which employees fall for the scam. This can help identify vulnerable employees who may need additional training. Additionally, companies can provide resources and guidelines on how to spot and report suspicious emails.

A popular example of a fake phishing email is one that appears to be from a bank or financial institution and informs the recipient that their account has been temporarily suspended due to suspicious activity. The email may ask the recipient to click on a link and enter their login credentials in order to reactivate their account. This is a tactic used by cybercriminals to steal personal and financial information. This type of phishing email can also be disguised as a message from other organization such as PayPal, Apple, etc.

Phishing Email Examples

"Account temporarily suspended." You might receive a notice from your bank — or another bank that you don't even do business with — stating that your account has been temporarily suspended. Why? According to the email, your bank has discovered unusual activity on your account and has decided to shut it down to protect you.
Source: https://us.norton.com/blog/online-scams/phishing-email-examples

Here's a small sample of popular phishing emails we've seen over the years. As you can see, there are many different approaches cybercriminals will take, and they are always evolving. While it would be virtually impossible to keep a current and fully comprehensive archive of these examples, it's a perfect idea to keep updated on what's out there to make phishing attacks less likely.
Source: https://www.phishing.org/phishing-examples

Real-World Examples of Phishing Email Attacks, Account Deactivation. An email from PayPal arrives telling the victim that their account has been compromised and will... Compromised Credit Card. The cyber criminal knows the victim made a recent purchase at Apple, for example, and sends an... Transfer ...
Source: https://terranovasecurity.com/top-examples-of-phishing-emails/

Conclusion

In today's digital age, internal employees must be aware of the dangers of email spam. By educating employees on phishing attempts and providing resources for reporting suspicious emails, companies can protect themselves from security breaches and compromised sensitive information.