Final answer:
To further reduce account compromises caused by clicking on phishing links, a combination of security awareness training, anti-spam gateways, URL rewriting, and conducting internal phishing campaigns are recommended. These measures together enhance user knowledge and strengthen technological defenses against cyber threats.
Step-by-step explanation:
A security administrator is concerned about the increasing number of users who click on malicious links contained within phishing emails, leading to a compromise of accounts despite having a process to block these links at the network perimeter. To further reduce the number of account compromises especially from remote users, the implementation of a combination of measures is necessary. These measures include:
- Security awareness training: Education to inform and empower users to recognize and avoid phishing attempts. This is critical as users are often the first line of defense.
- Anti-spam gateways: To filter out phishing emails before they reach users, reducing the chances of interaction with malicious links.
- URL rewriting: Transforming the URLs of incoming emails to go through a security gateway which can check the link when clicked.
- Internal phishing campaign: Simulates phishing attempts to teach users how to recognize and react properly to malicious emails, effectively assessing and improving the organization's human firewall.
In addition to these specific measures, increased security for individuals such as two-factor authentication, implementing stronger passwords, and continuous education can help in avoiding being scammed. It's also crucial that companies and governments enforce stronger protections on their websites to reduce the chance of account compromises.
Hackers employ a variety of methods to break into websites, to get people to click on links, and to lure people to give out information. Therefore, a holistic approach combining technological solutions with user education is paramount for enhancing cybersecurity at the organization.