Wondering if an email is a phishing attempt or not? We’ll make it clear, or at least as clear as you can easily make out for yourself. Follow the steps inside the guide to know how you can identify a phishing email and keep your data and information safe. So, let’s get started.
What is phishing?
Phishing is an unhealthy attempt at stealing data. It’s when a scammer sends you an email, text, or DM disguised as a trusted source, often like your bank, Netflix, or even someone you may know, to trick you into handing over the important digital information. They usually create a fake sense of urgency to make you click a suspicious link or download a malicious attachment immediately, without letting you think much. Once you open their page, or even open their link, there is a chance they get access to your data (depending on what they want and your security walls online).
Ways to identify a phishing email
If you feel that you have received a phishing email, then you can check for these signs to know for sure, without actually opening or clicking on the link.
Check for the Sender
When you observe the email, don’t just look at the name. Hover your mouse over the sender’s address. If it’s something like support@pay-pal-secure-392.com instead of @paypal.com, it’s fake. While this is just an example, there can be other emails similar to it.
Artificial urgency or threats
If the email screams “Action Required!” or “Your account needs xyz”, they are trying to create a situation of panic to make you dodge critical thinking. When people get affected by these emails, they often end up opening these links.
Generic greetings
Genuine companies usually know your name and use it to address you. If it starts with “Dear Customer” or “Valued Member,” it can be a phishing email.
Suspicious links
Hover your cursor over any button or link without clicking. A small box will show you the actual destination URL. If the address looks like random letters or a different website entirely, simply stay away from it and don’t open it.
Grammar and spelling mistakes
If you see weird capitalization, awkward phrasing, or even some typos, it’s a red flag, and you should stay alert. Genuine companies and their teams won’t send you emails with jumbled words or typos in them.
Requests for sensitive info
Legitimate companies will almost never ask for your password, social security number, or an invoice of any sort. If someone asks you for it, it’s alarming.
If you receive any such email on your account, try to dodge these emails and even report them to avoid any such incidents in the future.
