Disclaimer: This article is written with the help of chatGPT and reviewed/edited by our in-house technical specialist.
Phishing through email has been a prevalent scam since the 1990s and remains the top online scam today. Many organizations are implementing online safety guidelines, which include educating employees and establishing procedures, to reinforce training and fulfill insurance requirements.
What is Email Phishing?
Email phishing is a cyber attack in which malicious actors disguise themselves as legitimate organizations or individuals to gain access to sensitive information. These attacks are often sent in emails that shows from a trusted source, such as a bank, credit card company, or government agency. The emails contain links or attachments that lead to malicious websites or download malicious software that can extract sensitive information from the user’s computer.
Signs of Email Phishing
There are several signs that can help you identify a potential email phishing attack.
- Unusual Sender: The email’s sender is from the organization they claim to be. For example, an email from a bank will only sometimes come from an unfamiliar email address.
- Poor Grammar: Emails that contain poor grammar, misspellings, or other errors are often a sign of a phishing attack.
- Suspicious Links: The email contains suspicious links or attachments that lead to unfamiliar websites.
- Urgent Requests: The email contains urgent requests for you to take immediate action, such as providing personal information or clicking a link.
- Threatening Language: The email contains threatening language, such as a warning that your account will be suspended if you do not take action.
- Unfamiliar Logo: The logo or branding of the organization in the email needs to be more familiar or match the legitimate organization’s logo.
- Unsolicited Requests: The email contains requests for personal information or money you did not initiate.
By recognizing the signs of a phishing attack, you can protect yourself from becoming a phishing scam victim. It is important to take the time to verify the identity of the sender and the legitimacy of any links or attachments in the email. If you are still unsure about an email, it is best to contact the organization directly to verify its authenticity.