Phishing is a malicious attack used by cybercriminals to deceive and steal your personal information, such as banking details or passwords. They pose as trustworthy sources - like businesses or even family members - hoping that you will click on an unsafe link which then redirects to their fraudulent website. Be vigilant when sharing sensitive data online; take the time to ensure all requests are legitimate before responding!
Below are some common traits that appear in Phishing attacks that hide within emails.
An important call to action or threats - Scammers often attempt to create a false sense of urgency by pushing you to act quickly and without caution. Beware of emails that pressure you into clicking, calling or downloading attachments right away - even if they promise immense rewards or threaten heavy repercussions! Think twice before taking such dire steps, and do not hesitate to consult someone who can help make the best decision for your security.
Tip: If you ever see a message calling you to take immediate action, take a second to pause and re-read. Are you sure it's legit? Slow down and be safe.
First-time or infrequent senders - While getting an email from someone for the first time is not out of the ordinary, it could indicate phishing. When you get an email from someone you don't recognise or your email service identifies them as a new sender, ensure you carefully examine it before proceeding. Again taking a little longer to go over what is being said to you in an email is always wise before acting upon it.
Spelling and poor grammar - Professional organisations recognise the importance of quality when it comes to customer experience. Poorly written, ungrammatical emails may be indicative of a malicious scam. Such errors could result from an automated foreign language translation or even an attempt to bypass spam filters - so always stay vigilant!
Mismatched email domains -Double-check the sender's domain name if a suspicious email appears in your inbox! Well-respected companies like banks and Microsoft typically have specific end addresses (e.g., microsoftsupport). Be alert for scammers who try to slip past defensive measures by slight misspellings of legitimate domains - it could be their attempt to access information without detection.
Unexpected attachments or suspicious links - If you believe an email message is a scam, do not open any links or attachments you see. Doing so can leak your information and make it known to hackers. Instead, hover your mouse over the link (don't click) to see if the address matches the link typed in the message. Doing this over the link will reveal the email address in the yellow box.
With these handy tips, you now have the tools to spot any warning signs that may arise and be able to now prevent yourself from becoming a victim of a phishing attack. Would you like to know more and how you can protect yourself further? Please do not hesitate to get in contact with us. Call us on 0345 313 1111 or email us at info@silver-lining.com
Alternatively, you can find out more information on phishing and general cyber security solutions by visiting our page on our website here Cyber Security Management
You can also access our Free infographic guide with some more tips on spotting these types of scams by clicking the image below.
