Phishing is a type of scam that targets the user’s email address, password, and other personal information in order to either gain access to the user’s account or financial information. It’s a type of fraud in which a user is tricked into revealing sensitive information, such as login details, passwords, and other personal details. The goal of phishing scams is to either get you to click on a link that directs you to a fraudulent website or to send you a message that appears to come from a trusted source.
Scammers will often adopt the persona of a trusted brand or organization in order to lure in users. Users who are tricked by phishing scams may be asked to email a specific person, provide sensitive personal information, or download a malicious file. Avoid these types of scams by verifying the legitimacy of any email that you receive from a brand you know and trust. A few simple steps will help you keep yourself safe from phishing scams.
Double-check the sender
If you have doubts about the sender of an email, you can hover your mouse over the sender’s name in the blue address bar at the top of your browser, and a pop-up will appear with the name and email address. Click on the name in the pop-up, and you will be taken to the website where the email came from. You could also look for the “Sender” field in your email program’s software.
How Phishing Scams Work
Phishing scams use fake websites and malicious links to try and trick you into revealing login credentials or revealing other information that the scammer could use to commit fraud. Some phishing scams will ask you to provide personal information, such as your name, address, email address, phone number, and financial account information.
Phishing scams can also be used to trick users into installing malware on their computer. Some phishing scams will direct you to a legitimate-looking website where you are asked to enter your login information for a financial service or social media account. Once you do this, the scammer can use your information to commit fraud or steal your personal information. Stay safe on the Internet by relying on your instincts. If something doesn’t seem right, it probably isn’t.
Eliminate the Obvious
There are some legitimate reasons why you would receive an email from a brand that you’ve never heard of before. You can usually eliminate some of these reasons by doing a few simple steps. First, if you don’t recognize the sender of an email, hover your mouse over the sender’s name in the blue address bar at the top of your browser, and a pop-up will appear with the name and email address. Click on the name in the pop-up, and you will be taken to the website where the email came from.
Consider the Source
If you receive an email from a friend that you haven’t heard from in a while, you can check his or her Facebook page to make sure that he or she isn’t on one of the brand pages that you’re friends with on Facebook.
If you receive an email from a business that you don’t recognize, you can hover your mouse over the sender’s name in the blue address bar at the top of your browser, and a pop-up will appear with the name and email address. Click on the name in the pop-up, and you will be taken to the website where the email came from.
Always check your spam folder
Your email program’s settings can usually be configured to place your incoming email in a folder called “Spam.” While this folder is usually safe, you can also set it up so that any email with a suspicious sender address is automatically sent to the “Trash” folder. But make sure that you still check your spam folder every once in a while.
Don’t reply to suspicious emails
If you receive an email from a brand that you’ve never heard of before, do not reply to the email. Doing so only puts you at an even greater risk of getting phished.
This can be a dangerous step because you may be tempted to reply to the email and ask a friend or colleague to help you out with a problem that you’re experiencing. A colleague who receives your email may then end up sending you the wrong solution or telling you the wrong thing to do.
Always use an established network provider
Whenever you sign up for a new service or make a purchase on the Internet, always use an established network provider. This way, if you get tricked into giving up your login information, you’ll know that you’re only dealing with a reputable company.
One way to know if a brand is legitimate is to go to the brand’s website. If the website looks legitimate, it’s more likely that the website is legit.
Don’t click on links in emails
If you receive an email that seems suspicious, do not click on any links in the email. Make sure that you only enter your login information or click on links if you’re trying to sign up for a service or make a purchase.
If you do click on a link in the email, do not enter your login information on the website that you are taken to. Instead, phone the customer service number that is printed on the website.
Summing up
Phishing scams can be very dangerous because they use fake websites, links, and links to trick you into revealing your login information or personal information. These types of scams are usually designed to steal your information and commit financial fraud.
By using these 5 tips, you can avoid getting phished websites and protect your information from being stolen. Don’t click on links from unknown senders, double-check the sender’s information, always use an established network provider, don’t reply to suspicious emails, and don’t enter any personal information on the website.