How to Spot and Report Fake E-mails and Phishing Scams?

Phishing attacks are commonplace for both individuals and businesses. These schemes try to gain access to vital information to get into a corporate network or obtain money. Although there are many types of phishing, the most common way to carry out these scams is through e-mail.

E-mails containing an attachment loaded with malware ask you to click on a link. Once you click on the link, you will be directed to a compromised website. The malware then reads vital information from your system, such as usernames, passwords and other important data.

Phishing attacks are sophisticated, and it is easy to fall prey to an e-mail threat. You can always check the e-mail information online to see if others are receiving the same e-mail, which will help identify the scam. However, there are signs that the e-mail you received is a scam and should be deleted immediately.

Suspicious attachments

Some extensions are automatically used in malware schemes, which include zip, exe, or SCR. If an e-mail comes with an attachment, you shouldn’t open it if it’s from an unfamiliar source.

Grammar and spelling errors

Check the spelling, grammar and general vocabulary of a questionable e-mail. Today’s businesses have spell-checking features in their computer systems. So, before sending an e-mail, the person uses automatic correction to fix the mistakes. If you see many mistakes, it indicates that the person does not have a spell checker or a good knowledge of the English language.

Warnings or a sense of urgency

- Advertisement -

Another common tactic is to threaten you. The scammer may demand that you take immediate action to avoid legal problems. The e-mail may indicate that legal action or criminal proceedings will be taken against you. The scammer creates a false sense of urgency to raise your anxiety so that you ignore all the warning signs in the e-mail and focus on the threatening aspects.

Very Little Information

Some phishing scams are very sparse, with information to keep the e-mail short and sweet. If the title says something like “attached is the information you requested,” beware. Unless you requested information, it’s all a trick to lure you into reading more.

Requesting Personal Data

Some scammers have a very sophisticated approach. They create fake landing pages that give the impression of being official. You will be redirected to a screen to solve a problem. Usually, it is an outstanding balance. No matter how official the e-mail looks, avoid giving them your information.

- Advertisement -

Language or Tone is not correct

Many e-mails are written by people whose English could be better. Nuances in words are, therefore a red flag. Another thing to notice is the greeting. The e-mail may look like it is from a friend, but would your friend start the e-mail with the salutation “Dear”? You can easily spot if something is wrong.

The E-mail was not expected

These e-mails have nothing to do with what you expected. If you have won a prize or have an outstanding debt, there are other ways to contact you. A debt collector may send an e-mail, but this is usually after talking to you on the phone. If you are not expecting anything, delete the message.

Headers indicate that you have won something

It’s not uncommon for e-mails to contain a catchy phrase indicating that you’ve won a prize or that a discount is waiting for you inside. If you click the link and open the attachment, you will only install malware on your computer. A reputable company will not inform you of such gains through a generic e-mail.

Inconsistencies and mismatches

Scammers do not spend much time or effort on potential phishing attacks. It is common to find errors in domain names, links and e-mail addresses. For example, it appears that you have received an e-mail from PayPal regarding a negative account.

However, when you click on the link to fix the problem, you notice that you are not directed to the PayPal site but to an unknown domain. Please do not click on these links, as they are malware.

Strange Request

- Advertisement -

If the e-mail asks you to do something out of the ordinary, this is a red flag that it is probably malware. For example, you may be asked to install virus protection that you do not yet have, to update Windows or to install a patch on your PC. Some go so far as to claim that they are from big companies like Microsoft and that they have noticed problems on your computer. Do not follow their instructions, as they will have access to your PC.

You should warn your colleagues and management if you receive an e-mail pretending to be from the company. Organisations should be aware of such threats. As an individual, you should ignore the e-mail and delete it. You can do little to prevent being targeted by these malicious e-mail attacks, but you can avoid falling prey to a scam by being wise and identifying the red flags.

These tips will save you trouble when you check your e-mail.

You can also read our guide to protecting your digital documents.

- Advertisement -

Latest

Frostpunk 2: A Chilling Epic that Warms the Hearts of Strategy Fans

Introduction In a world where temperatures continue to plummet, 11...

Assetto Corsa EVO: The Next-Gen Sim Racing Experience We’ve Been Waiting For

As a long-time fan of the Assetto Corsa series,...

Mixed Reality: An Emerging Genre That Could Change Everything

Mixed Reality Is Still New But It Is Evolving Mixed...

Newsletter

Don't miss

Frostpunk 2: A Chilling Epic that Warms the Hearts of Strategy Fans

Introduction In a world where temperatures continue to plummet, 11...

Assetto Corsa EVO: The Next-Gen Sim Racing Experience We’ve Been Waiting For

As a long-time fan of the Assetto Corsa series,...

Mixed Reality: An Emerging Genre That Could Change Everything

Mixed Reality Is Still New But It Is Evolving Mixed...

Level Up Your Gaming Experience: Best-Selling Products You Can Find on Social Media

In the rapidly evolving world of gaming, staying ahead...
FinalBoss
FinalBoss
With a joystick in one hand and a movie ticket in the other, FinalBoss is the geeky buddy you want by your side. Diving into the latest games, exploring cutting-edge tech, and riding the cinematic rollercoaster, FinalBoss embodies the quintessential tech-savvy gamer and cinema enthusiast. As your go-to guide for all things geek, FinalBoss is here to share the fun, the thrills, and the awe of the virtual and cinematic realms.

Frostpunk 2: A Chilling Epic that Warms the Hearts of Strategy Fans

Introduction In a world where temperatures continue to plummet, 11 bit studios brings us Frostpunk 2, an ambitious sequel to their acclaimed survival and management...

Assetto Corsa EVO: The Next-Gen Sim Racing Experience We’ve Been Waiting For

As a long-time fan of the Assetto Corsa series, I can barely contain my excitement about the latest announcement from 505 Games and KUNOS...

Mixed Reality: An Emerging Genre That Could Change Everything

Mixed Reality Is Still New But It Is Evolving Mixed reality (MR) is an exciting new genre that's starting to make waves in gaming and...

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here