Phishing Emails is one of the most common methods of cyber crime. Despite taking appropriate measures, people still frequently fall victim.
Here are a few ways to recognise these mails and how to avoid these emails form breaching your security.
Warning signs may include:
- Informal Greeting: A “Dear Customer” greeting or ” Dear, ABC”. Formal business emails use a formal format, eg: “Respected sir/madam”
- Unbelievable offers: Most of these emails come along with the most bizarre offers of free products, free services, discounts, cheap travel deals, a jackpot, etc.
- Threats: To grab the receiver’s attention, these emails may include threats of freezing the account or taking legal actions in case the receiver doesn’t act immediately.
- Requests to add attachments: These mails ask you to click on a link provided in the mail, open an attachment or reply with personal or to provide financial information.
- Multiple spelling and grammar errors
How to protect yourself from these emails?
- Don’t open the mail: Avoid opening phishing emails because in some cases opening these email may breach the security of your Personally Identifiable Information (PII).
- Delete it immediately: Delete the email immediately from your Primary email and don’t forget to delete it from your trash too.
- Do not download any attachments: These emails have attachments accompanying them. These attachments may contain malware such as viruses, worms or spyware.
- Never click links: Similar to attachments, these emails might have embedded in the body text which will direct you to fraudulent websites.
- Do not reply: Never reply to the sender. Ignore any and all requests by the sender.
- Report it: Once you recognise it as a phishing email, report it immediately.
