Phishing

Phishing is a cybercrime technique where attackers send deceptive communications (usually emails, texts, or fake websites) posing as legitimate entities to trick recipients into revealing sensitive information or downloading malware. In a dealership setting, this could manifest as an email that looks like it’s from a bank or a manufacturer asking for login credentials, or a fake message from a manager asking for an urgent funds transfer. Canadian dealerships train employees to recognize phishing signs – like mismatched email addresses, generic greetings, or unusual requests – and to follow protocols (e.g., verifying requests through a known contact or IT department). Since a successful phishing attack can lead to breaches of customer data or ransomware incidents, maintaining vigilance and strong email security (such as spam filters and two-factor authentication) is essential for dealership operations.