Phishing attacks have become one of the most common cyber threats today, with hackers continuously refining their techniques to exploit unsuspecting individuals and businesses. While these attacks can appear convincing, there are telltale signs that can help you identify and avoid falling victim to a phishing scam.
Phishing is a cyberattack where scammers impersonate legitimate organizations or individuals to trick recipients into sharing sensitive information, such as login credentials, financial details, or other personal data. These attacks are typcially emails, but they can also occur through text messages or social media. The goal of phishing is to deceive you into believing the message is genuine, leading you to click on malicious links or download malware.
Read more: What is an email phishing attack?
Recently, Linus Sebastian, founder of Linus Tech Tips, revealed a Twitter account was compromised by a phishing attack, allegedly due to him clicking on an email link. After realizing what happened, Sebastian tried to recover the account, but it was too late. “I like to think that I’m better than this... but they caught me at exactly the wrong moment,” said Sabastian.
But what signs did he miss?
One of the first signs of a phishing attempt is an unusual or unfamiliar sender address. While the display name might seem legitimate (e.g., "Your Bank" or "Support Team"), the email address itself often contains random letters or numbers, or a domain that doesn’t match the organization it claims to represent.
What to look for:
Phishing emails are often mass-produced, so they often use vague greetings like “Dear Customer” or “Hello User,” instead of addressing you by your name. If the message comes from an institution that usually uses personalized communication, a generic greeting can be a red flag.
What to look for:
Many phishing attacks attempt to create a sense of urgency or fear to prompt immediate action. For instance, the email may claim that your account has been compromised, or that your payment is overdue, threatening account suspension or legal action if you don’t respond right away.
What to look for:
Legitimate companies rarely ask you to provide sensitive information (like passwords, Social Security numbers, or credit card details) via email. If an email asks you to share personal information directly or through a link, it’s likely a phishing attempt.
What to look for:
Phishing emails often contain links or attachments designed to install malware or direct you to a fraudulent website. The goal is to harvest your login credentials or infect your device. Before clicking on any link, always hover over it to reveal the actual URL. If it doesn’t match the supposed source, avoid clicking it.
What to look for:
Many phishing emails originate from international scammers, and their messages may contain awkward phrasing, misspellings, or grammatical errors.
What to look for:
Phishing scammers often lure victims by promising something that seems too good to pass up. Whether it's an unexpected prize, a refund, or a lucrative job offer, be skeptical of any offer that seems out of the ordinary or too generous.
What to look for:
See also: HIPAA Compliant Email: The Definitive Guide
Even though phishing emails can be sneaky, there are steps you can take to minimize your risk of falling for these attacks:
Go deeper: Steps to protect against phishing attacks
Many phishing emails come from international sources where English is not the first language, or they are created quickly with less attention to detail. The errors can also serve to bypass spam filters, as well as target less vigilant recipients.
Simply opening an email generally won't harm your computer. The danger lies in clicking on malicious links or downloading attachments. However, some advanced attacks might include embedded malicious content, so always be cautious.