Joe Patrice takes issue with a phishing email the Knights sent out to its employees about pay raises. Joe takes the message to task for:
"(a) why would a scammer even assume that the notoriously unpopular employer would give raises;
(b) seriously though, if one hoped to pfish an attorney why would they tease a salary increase instead of taking a key client identified on the firm's press release page, spoofing their email, and writing 'please see attached draft; and
(c) wouldn't emails from dummy human resources sites be among the easiest things to filter at the enterprise level, eliminating the human element altogether?
" I would answer: (a) Scammers don't care or even know who Knight is or whether they are stingy or not. Scammers don't care as long as someone takes the bait and clicks the link.
(b) Salary and HR info, free gift cards and more are some of the biggest phishes as everyone likes something for nothing. Based on Joe's post and the original, "The awareness test went down 'like a lead balloon' and prompted 'strongly worded emails, partners threatening to leave and incredulity'" it sounds like many were caught up in the phish. I suspect embarrassment caused as much of the outrage as the email did.
( c) If you can write that filter, please do. You can sell it and retire from the news business.
One can certainly argue the tone of the email, but I think the subject matter is fair game for awareness programs and phishing attempts. While Joe claims this email went to just attorneys, the original post is not clear. It says "lawyers were sent emails" and "So the jubilation was palpable when staff received emails." Sounds like it went to everyone. And any firm worth their salt are targeting the attorneys and senior management with phishing campaigns that are directly related to their heightened control and influence in the firm. I'd file this mostly under #nothingburger. Read more at ABOVE THE LAW: Biglaw Firm Sent FAKE Salary Increase Memo... To Teach Attorneys A Lesson!
Published June 16, 2023.
