Phishing Protection in San Diego: Stop the New “NDA via Contact‑Us” Scam With This 5‑Step Plan
Why This Matters: A New Kind of Phishing That Looks Like Business as Usual
Imagine this: a vendor fills out your website’s Contact Us form asking about a partnership. Seems normal, right? You reply, exchange a few emails, and after a couple of weeks they send over an NDA in a ZIP file.
Here’s the problem: that ZIP isn’t just paperwork—it’s a Trojan horse. Inside is a hidden script that opens a backdoor into your systems. From there, attackers can steal data, install ransomware, or even take over your network.
This isn’t the old “click this sketchy link” scam. It’s patient, professional, and designed to fool even sharp employees. That’s why phishing protection in San Diego businesses is no longer optional—it’s mission-critical for uptime, compliance, and cyber insurance coverage.
Who should read this: GMs, practice managers, and owners in San Diego who need phishing protection without stopping production.
Your 5‑Step Defense (Do This First)
- Route vendor ZIPs to a sandbox. Anything “NDA.zip” or files that can execute (.lnk/.js/.hta) gets detonated safely before a human double‑clicks.
- Turn on MFA + remove local admin. Meets most cyber insurance requirements and blocks easy pivots.
- Deploy EDR with PowerShell controls. Catch script‑based loaders like MixShell.
- Run an immutable backup test. Keep the restore receipt (date, duration, who validated).
- Post the first‑hour checklist. Control the first hour; control the outcome.
“Five moves. One calm plan.”
First‑Hour Incident Checklist
- Unplug the device / disable Wi‑Fi.
- Call IT support from a known‑good device.
- Preserve the ZIP/files/email thread.
- Identify anything shared (passwords, files).
- Reset credentials starting with email/SSO.
- Wipe/rebuild with EDR review; capture evidence for insurance/compliance.
“Control the first hour, and you control the outcome.”
What’s New About This Attack (and Why Email Filters Miss It)
Attackers start at your website’s Contact Us form, not email. Your team replies, the thread feels like normal business, and after a couple of weeks they send a “digital NDA” ZIP with clean decoys plus a component that triggers a PowerShell loader, which deploys MixShell—an in‑memory backdoor with stealthy C2. That’s why normal spam filters don’t catch it, and why process + sandbox + EDR matter most.
Red Flags Your Team Can Actually Spot
- Early NDA ZIP request from a new vendor.
- Thin, stock‑photo website or recycled images.
- Weeks of polite follow‑ups without normal vendor vetting.
- ZIPs or files that can execute (.lnk, .js, .hta) or trigger PowerShell behavior.
“Real vendors don’t rush ZIPs. They pass your procurement process.”
Make It Real: The Controls We Implement for San Diego Shops
Email & Webform Guardrails
- Route webform leads with an “External – Unverified Vendor” tag and a quick vendor‑validation checklist.
- Detonate risky attachments in a sandbox tied to EDR.
- Harden Microsoft 365: modern auth only; block risky file types; tune SPF/DKIM/DMARC. Our Microsoft 365 security configurations reduce phishing risk and strengthen email security.
Identity & Access
- Multi-factor authentication (MFA) everywhere that matters; conditional access; no standing global admin.
- Privileged access with just‑in‑time elevation and alerting.
Endpoints & Servers
- EDR (endpoint detection and response) with behavior analytics to catch script‑based loaders.
- Constrained PowerShell where feasible; least privilege on endpoints.
Backup & Recovery
- Immutable, off‑domain backups with MFA and role separation.
- Monthly restore tests with a “restore receipt” (date, duration, validator).
People & Process
- Quarterly 10‑minute trainings and realistic phishing simulations (NDAs, “AI projects,” vendor onboarding). We deliver security awareness training as part of our managed IT services.
- First‑hour incident checklist under keyboards.
CMMC/HIPAA: Map Controls to Everyday Work (and Bring the Binder)
If CMMC/HIPAA/NIST are on your desk, we map controls into everyday actions and build the evidence binder auditors expect. We also support HIPAA compliance IT for clinics and healthcare practices. Start here: CMMC Compliance (San Diego)
Cyber Insurance: Meet the Requirements, Show the Evidence
- MFA on email/VPN/admin
- EDR on endpoints/servers
- Immutable backups
- Training + phishing sims
- IR plan + vendor due diligence
Our compliance services include preparing the evidence pack your insurer expects.
Proof from the Floor: What San Diego Clients Say
“NTG has always been reliable and flexible to our needs… NTG is the whole package.” — Dr. Candy Lewis, Harmony Animal Hospital
“They are always available by phone for remote support or to come onsite… The entire Noble Tech team is friendly and very respectful.” — Susan Martinez, California Marine Cleaning, Inc.
“We needed to become CMMC Level 2 compliant… Noble helped us build a compliant enclave network and work securely with a Defense Prime.” — Mike “MK” Kister, Novagard
“When our headquarters burned down, we were back up and running the very next day… They’re big enough to deliver and small enough to care.” — Elliot LeGros, Westflex, Inc.
Next Step: Book a 20‑Minute Consult (No‑Disruption Plan, Evidence Included)
Let’s make this simple. Book a 20‑minute consultation and we’ll show you a right‑sized plan that fits your operations. Our IT support and IT consulting teams can implement these controls without downtime.
