How to protect yourself from email phishing

Email phishing is a type of online scam where criminals send fraudulent emails in an attempt to steal your personal information or login credentials. These emails are designed to look like they’re from a legitimate source, such as a financial institution or a company you do business with, and they often contain links to fake […]

Posted - October 17, 2022

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Email phishing is a type of online scam where criminals send fraudulent emails in an attempt to steal your personal information or login credentials. These emails are designed to look like they’re from a legitimate source, such as a financial institution or a company you do business with, and they often contain links to fake websites that are designed to steal your information. Phishing attacks are becoming increasingly sophisticated, and it’s important to know how to protect yourself. In this blog post, we’ll share some tips on how to spot a phishing email and what you can do to protect yourself from these scams.

What is a phishing email?

When you open your inbox, do you ever feel like you're swimming in a sea of phishing emails? If so, you're not alone. Phishing is one of the most common types of email scams, and it's only getting more sophisticated.

So, what is a phishing email? Put simply, it's an email that's been designed to trick you into giving away your personal information or clicking on a malicious link. Phishing emails often look like they've come from a reputable source, such as your bank or a well-known company like Amazon. But when you take a closer look, you'll usually spot some red flags that give the game away.

If you're concerned about being targeted by a phishing email, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. First, be on the lookout for any suspicious-looking emails in your inbox. If an email looks like it could be from a legitimate source but something doesn't seem quite right, don't click on any links or attachments.

Instead, go directly to the website in question and log in using your usual details. This way, you can be sure that you're not giving away your login details to a fraudster. You should also make sure that your computer is protected by up-to-date antivirus software. This will help to block any malicious links or attachments that might be hiding in an email.

By following these simple tips, you can stay safe from email scams and protect your personal information.

How to spot a phishing email

Email phishing is a type of online scam where criminals send fake emails purporting to be from a legitimate organization in an attempt to trick victims into divulging personal information or clicking on malicious links. Phishing emails can be difficult to spot, but there are some tell-tale signs that can help you identify them.

When looking at an email, ask yourself the following questions:

- Does the sender's email address look legitimate? If not, it may be a spoofed address meant to trick you.
- Is the message well-written and free of grammar errors? Many phishing emails are sent from overseas and may not have proper English.
- Does the email contain any unusual attachments or links? These could be infected with malware.
- Is the email asking you for personal information such as your bank account number or Social Security number? No legitimate organization should ever ask for this information via email.
- Are you being urged to act quickly or threatened with dire consequences if you don't respond? This is a common tactic used by scammers to create a sense of urgency.

If you see any of these red flags, delete the email immediately without clicking on any links or opening any attachments. You can also report suspicious emails to the company they claim to be from—most major organizations have procedures in place for dealing with phishing attempts. By staying alert and cautious, you can help protect yourself from becoming a victim of email phishing scams.

Whose name is on the email address?

If you're not sure whether an email is from a legitimate source, one way to check is to see whose name is on the email address. Be wary of emails that come from free email providers like Gmail or Yahoo, as these can be easily spoofed. Also be cautious of emails that come from unfamiliar domains, or ones that have odd characters in them. If you're ever in doubt, it's best to err on the side of caution and either delete the email or reach out to the sender directly to confirm their identity.

Ask yourself: Do I need to click the link?

When you receive an email, look closely at the sender’s address. Does it look suspicious? If so, don’t open it.

Next, look at the subject line. Is it something that looks too good to be true? If so, don’t open the email.

Finally, take a close look at the email itself. Does it have any grammar or spelling errors? Are there any strange characters in the body of the text? If so, these are all signs that the email is not legitimate and you should not click on any links within it.

How to avoid phishing attempts

Email phishing is one of the most common ways that cybercriminals try to trick people into revealing sensitive information or infecting their computers with malware. Phishing emails are carefully crafted to look like they’re from a legitimate source, such as a bank or well-known company. They often contain urgent messages or requests for personal information, like passwords or credit card numbers.

Here are some tips to help you avoid phishing attempts:

• Be suspicious of any email or pop-up message that asks for your personal or financial information. Don’t click on any links in these messages.

• Don’t reply to messages that ask for your personal or financial information.

• Be cautious of any email that contains typos or grammatical errors. These are often signs that the email is not from a legitimate source.

• Hover over any links in an email before clicking on them. This will show you the URL that the link will take you to. If it looks suspicious, don’t click on it!

• Check the website’s URL before entering any personal information on it. Make sure it starts with “https://” and has a green padlock icon next to it, which indicates that the site is secure.

Don't rely on spam filters alone

When it comes to email phishing, don't rely on spam filters alone to protect yourself. While spam filters can be helpful in identifying and blocking some phishing emails, they're not perfect. Phishers are constantly coming up with new ways to circumvent spam filters, so it's important to be aware of the other steps you can take to protect yourself.

Here are some things you can do to protect yourself from email phishing:

- Be suspicious of unsolicited emails, even if they appear to come from a trusted source. If an email looks suspicious, don't click on any links or attachments.

- Hover over links to see where they will take you before clicking on them. This will help you identify if the link is legitimate or not.

- Don't enter your personal or financial information into any forms unless you're absolutely sure that the website is legitimate. Look for https:// in the URL and a green padlock icon next to it, which indicates that the site is secure.

By taking these simple precautions, you can help protect yourself from email phishing scams.

Are there spelling mistakes in the email?

Email phishing is a form of online fraud whereby scammers send out legitimate-looking emails in an attempt to collect personal information from unsuspecting victims. While the emails may look genuine, there are often tell-tale signs that they are not, such as spelling mistakes and grammatical errors.

If you receive an email that looks like it could be from a reputable source but contains spelling mistakes or other errors, is wary. The best way to protect yourself from email phishing scams is to never click on any links or attachments in suspicious emails and to report them to the relevant authorities.

Double-check the product being advertised

When you receive an email that looks like it's from a company or organization you know, take a close look at the sender's address. Phishing emails often use slight misspellings or alternate domain names to try and trick you (for example, "@amazon.com" vs. "@amzon.com").

If you're not sure whether an email is legitimate, don't click on any links or download any attachments. Instead, contact the company directly to ask if they sent the email. And remember: companies will never ask for sensitive information like your password or Social Security number by email.

Use a low-limit credit card

If you're worried about email phishing, one way to protect yourself is to use a low-limit credit card. That way, even if your information is compromised, the damage will be limited.

There are a few things to keep in mind when using a low-limit credit card for email protection. First, make sure the card issuer offers fraud protection. This will help ensure that you're not held responsible for any unauthorized charges.

Second, be sure to keep an eye on your statements and report any suspicious activity right away. This way, you can catch any fraudulent charges before they get too out of hand.

Finally, remember that a low-limit credit card is just one tool in the fight against email phishing. Be sure to use other methods of protection as well, such as strong passwords and anti-phishing software. By taking all of these precautions, you can help ensure that your information stays safe from scammers.

Use firewalls

Even though email phishing is a serious threat, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. One of the best ways to protect yourself is to use a firewall.

A firewall is a piece of software that acts as a barrier between your computer and the internet. It can help to block incoming connections that are not authorized, and it can also help to monitor and control outgoing traffic.

There are many different types of firewalls available, and it’s important to choose one that meets your needs. If you’re not sure which type of firewall is right for you, you can consult with an IT professional or read reviews online.

Once you have a firewall in place, it’s important to keep it up-to-date. Firewalls need to be regularly updated in order to stay effective against new threats. Make sure to set up your firewall so that it automatically updates itself with the latest security patches.

How to report a phishing email?

If you receive a phishing email, do not open any attachments or click any links. Instead, forward the email to the abusive address for your email service provider. You should also report the phishing attempt to the FTC at ftc.gov/complaint.

If you clicked on a link in a phishing email or provided personal information, visit IdentityTheft.gov to report the crime and get help recovering your identity.