A phishing email tries to steal your personal information or sell you something. These emails are usually made to look like they come from a trusted company, but it’s just some random person trying to trick you.
If you receive an email from your bank asking for your password, this is likely a phishing scam and should be avoided at all costs.
There are many ways of spotting these malicious links before clicking on them, so make sure to protect yourself!
Check Your Email Address
The first thing you should do is look at the email address. Phishing emails will often have a fake address, so scrutinise them closely.
If the email contains grammar mistakes or seems like it’s been written in a hurry, it’s probably not legitimate.
What you can do here is to open a new tab and type the website address in manually. If it’s a fake site, your browser won’t recognise it.
Look For Suspicious Links
Another red flag is if there are any suspicious links included in the email. Hover your mouse over the link to see where it will take you; if it differs from the website you were expecting, it probably needs to be safer.
Many phishing emails will have shortened URLs, so copy and paste them into a separate tab to see where they lead. Often, these URLs will be disguised as something else entirely.
Be Cautious Of Requests For Personal Information
One of the most common things phishers try to do is get your personal information like passwords, social security numbers, and credit card details.
If you need clarification on an email, it’s always best to contact the company directly to see if they sent it.
Never Give Out Your Password
This one goes without saying, but never give out your password, no matter what.
Legitimate companies will never ask for this information in an email. This will cause a security breach in your system and can lead to financial and personal damage.
If You’re Unsure, Don’t Click
If you need clarification on whether an email is safe, it’s always best to avoid it altogether. It’s not worth taking the risk! This will also stop you from accidentally falling into the trap of a phishing email.
Remember, if an email sounds too good to be true, it probably is! These emails are widespread for this reason. Follow the tips above to keep yourself safe.
Phishing emails are becoming increasingly common, so being aware of the telltale signs is essential.
If you need clarification on an email, look at the email address and see if it looks fake. If there are any suspicious links, hover over them before clicking.
When the worst happens, make sure to contact website security experts to find a way to recover your data. Don’t fall into a phishing scam! Stay safe and keep yourself informed on the latest scams going around.