Phishing emails are a major concern in today’s digital age. These emails are one of the most common and dangerous threats to online security. The practice is so prevalent that one out of 99 emails is a phishing email. Data shows that 90% of data security issues are due to phishing.
The good news is that more people and businesses are now aware of phishing. This led companies to enhance their cybersecurity measures. For example, many businesses now use advanced spam filtering software. The bad news is that cybercriminals are adapting by using more deceptive methods.
One such method is social engineering. This is a type of cyberattack that tricks users into revealing sensitive information. Many aren’t aware they’ve shared their password or credit card numbers with cyber criminals.
People need to know how to identify phishing emails. This will save individuals from financial loss and identity theft. Here’s a short guide on how to spot these malicious emails.
Understanding the Concept of Phishing
Phishing is a type of cyberattack wherein attackers use deceptive emails or websites. Cybercriminals trick individuals into revealing sensitive information.
The term “phishing” comes from “fishing.” It’s an appropriate term since cybercriminals use fake “bait.” This comes in the form of messages that look legitimate. They want to “hook” victims into giving them valuable information.
There are different types of phishing. Email phishing is the most common one. There’s also spear phishing and whaling. The first one targets people using information from their social media. The latter focuses on executives in an organization.
How to Identify Phishing Emails
Phishing emails are dangerous because they look real and convincing. Several signs will reveal that an email is a scam. Here’s what people should look for to avoid becoming a victim:
Suspicious Sender Email Address
Phishing emails will use an email address that copies a legitimate company. There are slight alterations though. For example, PayPal users might get an email asking them to message support@paypall.com. The misspelled company name is a small detail. But it should make the receiver suspicious.
Generic Greetings
Legitimate companies address their customers by name. It’s professional sounding and respectful. Phishing emails use generic greetings like “Dear Customer” or “Dear User.”
Uses Urgent or Threatening Expressions
Phishing emails often create a sense of urgency or fear in the receiver. People should be wary of emails that warn “Your account is compromised!” Phrases like “Immediate action required!” are also common in phishing emails. Cybercriminals use these warnings to prompt immediate action.
Suspicious Links or Attachments
Links or attachments are common in phishing emails. Cybercriminals will urge their victims to click on the link. Two things can happen if the email’s receiver does click on them. First of all, this can lead them to download malware. It can either be a spyware or keylogging software. Second, it could direct the individual to a spoof website. This site looks legitimate and entices victims to log in or share their information.
Cybersecurity services companies say that people should be careful when clicking on links. The best thing to do is to hover on links without clicking. This shows the actual URL. Don’t click it if it looks suspicious or doesn’t match the sender’s website.
Strange Requests for Personal Information
Legitimate companies never ask customers for sensitive information. They don’t ask for client passwords or credit card numbers. No company will ask for social security numbers via email.
Grammar Mistakes and Misspelled Words
A legitimate business takes great care with communication. Companies make sure their emails and content are all well-written. This means they use perfect grammar and spelling. An email with many spelling and grammatical errors is suspicious.
Phishing emails are a serious and ongoing threat. People can protect themselves by knowing what to look for. That’s why everyone should take a moment to scrutinize suspicious emails. Always verify the sender and never share personal information via email. Knowing how to identify phishing emails helps prevent getting victimized by cybercriminals.
Helping You Stay Safe and Informed
Watch your company flourish with Absolute Computer Systems. We are Kenosha, Wisconsin’s premier IT and cyber security services company. Our company offers comprehensive, high-quality IT solutions tailored to your needs. We specialize in onsite and remote tech support. Our firm also provides cybersecurity and cloud services. That’s why our clients trust us for all their IT needs. Give us a call at (262) 447-8589. You can also book a consultation here.
