How to Recognize and Avoid Phishing Emails

What is Phishing?

Phishing is a type of cyber attack where criminals send fraudulent emails that appear to come from a legitimate source. The goal is to trick the recipient into divulging personal information like passwords or credit card numbers.

Phishing emails often look very convincing and may seem to come from a real company like a bank, e-commerce site, or government agency. But they contain links to fake websites that are designed to steal your information.

Phishers are getting increasingly sophisticated and phishing scams can be hard to spot. But there are some techniques you can use to recognize and avoid phishing emails.

How to Recognize Phishing Emails

Here are some telltale signs that an email may be a phishing scam:

1. Generic Greetings

Phishing emails will often start with generic greetings like “Dear user” or “Dear customer” instead of using your name. Legitimate companies will generally address you by name in emails.

2. Spoofed Senders

Check the email address in the “From” field carefully. Phishers will create email addresses that look legitimate but aren’t. For example, the address may have an extension like “@wellsfargo-secure.com” instead of @wellsfargo.com.

3. Suspicious Links

Don’t click on links in suspicious emails. Phishing links may look legitimate but actually take you to fake sites. Hover over any links to preview the URL before clicking.

4. Strange Attachments

Phishing emails often have attachments like .zip files or .exe files. It’s best not to open attachments from anyone you don’t know.

5. Sense of Urgency

Phishers try to create a false sense of urgency so you’ll act rashly. Watch for language insisting you “Act now!” or take care of a problem “immediately” or “your account will be closed.”

6. Spelling and Layout Issues

Phishing emails often contain typos, awkward phrasing, and other proofreading issues. They may also have unusual formatting or low-quality images.

How to Avoid Phishing Scams

Here are some tips to avoid being a victim of a phishing scam:

1. Never Send Sensitive Information in Emails

Email is not a secure way to send personal information. Legitimate companies will never ask for your password, social security number, or account info in an email.

2. Use Phishing Filtering

Enable phishing protection offered by your email provider or security software. This automatically detects and quarantines suspicious emails.

3. Don’t Click on Links from Strangers

Be wary of any links from people you don’t know. It’s safer to manually navigate to any websites via your browser.

4. Verify the Sender

If you receive an email from a company you deal with, call them to verify if they sent it before taking any action. Don’t reply to the email.

5. Use Verified Mobile Apps

Download the official apps for companies you do business with rather than entering your info on websites. The apps are more secure.

6. Check for the Lock Symbol

When visiting websites from links, ensure they are using HTTPS and are encrypted. Look for the lock icon in the browser bar.

Staying vigilant is the best way to protect yourself from phishing. But if you ever enter personal details after clicking a suspicious link, act quickly to notify companies and change passwords.

Recognizing Common Phishing Scams

Phishers use familiar company names and situations to make their emails seem authentic. Be watchful for:

• Fake package tracking emails with links to see your “status”
• “Account verification” emails asking you to confirm personal information
• “Password reset” emails with links to change your password
• Fake “invoicing” emails with links to review “payments owed”

What to do if You Get Phished

If you realize you’ve fallen for a phishing scam:

• Change passwords for any compromised accounts
• Contact banks if you gave away any financial information
• Place fraud alerts on your credit reports with the major bureaus
• Report the phishing attack to the company that was impersonated
• File a complaint with the FTC at www.ftc.gov

The earlier you act, the more you can limit the potential damage. But your vigilance is the best defense against phishing scams.

Conclusion

• Phishing is a common online scam where emails pretend to be from trusted sources.

• Look for telltale signs like generic greetings and suspicious links. Don’t open attachments.

• Never send personal info over email. Call to verify questionable emails.

• Use phishing filters, avoid unfamiliar links, and stick to official apps for more security.

• If you do get phished, act quickly to change passwords, alert companies, and file complaints.

Staying informed and cautious is the surest protection against phishing scams trying to steal your personal information and money.