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Best Practices

Beware of These Email Subject Lines for Potential Ransomware Attack

Last year, we shared 10 steps to take when (not if) your organization is hit with a ransomware attack. Now that several months have passed, the number of malicious cyber attacks that have plagued IT professionals has grown exponentially. The stakes have never been higher. Public services, financial data, and protected health information are all in jeopardy when such widespread security compromises take place.

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Last year, we shared 10 steps to take when (not if) your organization is hit with a ransomware attack. Now that several months have passed, the number of malicious cyber attacks that have plagued IT professionals has grown exponentially. The stakes have never been higher. Public services, financial data, and protected health information are all in jeopardy when such widespread security compromises take place.As it was in our first blog post, phishing is still the preferred mode of attack for hackers. Recently, security awareness training firm, KnowBe4 shared results from their quarterly top-clicked phishing tests. Below is their list of Top 10 General Email Subjects.

  1. Security Alert
  2. Revised Vacation & Sick Time Policy
  3. UPS Label Delivery 1ZBE312TNY00015011
  4. BREAKING: United Airlines Passenger Dies from Brain Hemorrhage
  5. A Delivery Attempt was made
  6. All Employees: Update your Healthcare Info
  7. Change of Password Required Immediately
  8. Password Check Required Immediately
  9. Unusual sign-in activity
  10. Urgent Action Required

According to KnowBe4, the listed subject lines make it through most corporate filters and leverage multiple psychological triggers, which prompt users to open the messages. As an IT professional in charge of website maintenance, you must be proactive in educating your users to question the intent of such messages before they make the first click.QliqSOFT is more than just a provider of secure texting solutions, we are company built from the ground up with security as our top priority. If you would like to learn more about using our solution as a viable clinical communication tool before, during, and after a ransomware attack, schedule a free demo HERE.

Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to common questions about this topic.

Look for urgent language like 'Password Check Required Immediately' or fake delivery notifications that create psychological pressure to click. Healthcare IT professionals should train staff to verify sender authenticity and avoid clicking links in unsolicited emails about system updates or security alerts.

Healthcare organizations handle protected health information (PHI) and critical patient data, making them high-value targets. Phishing emails often impersonate legitimate healthcare services or use urgent medical scenarios to trick staff into clicking malicious links.

Phishing emails exploit human psychology and can bypass technical security measures by tricking users into voluntarily providing access. They leverage urgency, authority, and fear to prompt immediate action before users can think critically about the message's legitimacy.

Implement a verification protocol where employees contact IT directly through official channels before responding to any password or security-related emails. Train staff to recognize that legitimate IT departments rarely request immediate password changes via email.

Secure texting solutions provide alternative communication channels when email systems are compromised, ensuring clinical staff can continue coordinating patient care. These platforms maintain HIPAA compliance and operational continuity during cyber security incidents.

Ben Henson

Written by

Ben Henson

Healthcare IT Specialist

Healthcare IT specialist with expertise in HIPAA compliance and secure messaging.

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