Phishing attacks are growing more sophisticated, but recognizing their common characteristics can keep you ahead of the curve. According to CISA assessment teams, 80% of organizations have at least one person who succumbs to a phishing attempt. By staying vigilant and adhering to best practices, you can effectively safeguard yourself and your organization from these ever-evolving threats.
Identifying the attack
- Suspicious sender information: The email address may look similar to a legitimate one but often contains slight alterations (e.g., @amaz0n.com instead of @amazon.com). The sender's name may appear trustworthy, but a closer inspection of the email address reveals discrepancies.
- Generic greetings: Messages often start with non-specific salutations like "Dear Customer" or "Dear User" instead of using your name.
- Urgency or fear tactics: The message may pressure you to act quickly, claiming your account will be locked, a service will be canceled, or you’ll miss out on an opportunity unless you respond immediately.
- Unsolicited attachments or links: Attachments might contain malware, and links often lead to fake websites designed to capture your information.
- Requests for personal information: Legitimate companies rarely ask for sensitive information like passwords, credit card numbers, or Social Security numbers via email.
- Poor grammar or spelling: Many phishing emails contain typos, awkward phrasing, or grammatical errors.
- Too-good-to-be-true offers: Unrealistic promises, such as winning a lottery you never entered or receiving a large inheritance, are common tactics.
- Mismatched branding: Logos, formatting, and language may be inconsistent with those used by the legitimate organization.
- Unusual or unexpected communication: Receiving an email about a transaction you don’t recognize or an unexpected password reset can be a sign of phishing.
- Hidden or fraudulent URLs: Fake websites often mimic legitimate ones, but subtle differences in the domain name (e.g., example.secure-login.com instead of secure.example.com) can give them away.
Learn more:
How to protect yourself from phishing attacks
Identifying the attack is only one part of eradicating phishing attacks. Here are some best practices to implement to protect yourself:
- Stay skeptical: Always question unexpected or unsolicited emails.
- Verify the sender: Use official contact information to confirm any suspicious requests.
- Don’t click links or download attachments: If in doubt, avoid interacting with the email content.
- Use security tools: Enable spam filters and install reputable antivirus software to help identify and block phishing attempts.
- Report phishing attempts: Notify your IT department, email provider, or the organization being impersonated.
See also: HIPAA Compliant Email: The Definitive Guide
FAQs
What should I do if I suspect a phishing email?
If you suspect an email is phishing:
- Do not click on any links or download attachments.
- Verify the sender's email address and look for any discrepancies.
- Contact the company or individual directly through official channels to confirm the legitimacy of the email.
- Report the phishing attempt to your organization’s IT department or the email provider.
Can phishing attacks only happen through email?
While email is the most common method, phishing can also occur through other channels like text messages (smishing), phone calls (vishing), or fake websites designed to capture sensitive data.
Tshedimoso Makhene
