Don’t get taken on a phishing trip!
- Mark Hudson
- Jan 25, 2020
- 2 min read
Avoid being duped by online schemes
You receive an email from a trusted source, complete with official logos and trademarks. It asks you to take action immediately by clicking on a link that requests personal information. Ah, but you have caught on: You suspect a “phishing” attempt because you know what to watch for!
“Phishing” is a form of Internet piracy that uses fraudulent emails, fake websites, and annoying pop-ups pretending to come from a legitimate organization. Phishers aim to steal sensitive personal or corporate information. Links contained in email messages often redirect the user to a fake site where recipients are fooled into entering confidential information such as usernames, passwords, account numbers or financial data.
Businesses can repel phishing attempts by installing fraud-detection software, working with other departments and educating employees. The more you know about phishing, the less likely you’ll fall for it.
Tips to avoid being phished
Be suspicious of any email with urgent requests for personal information.
Never open an attachment from an unsolicited source.
Be wary if you receive an email from a company or person with whom you don’t do business or hold an account.
If you’re suspicious and the email comes from a person you know, contact that person directly to check if they really sent the message
Be cautious of emails that are not personalized, or contain spelling errors and awkward phrasing.
Don’t click on suspicious links in an email to get to a Web page. It’s better to validate the page by searching online for the company telephone number or Web address.
Don’t complete forms in email messages that ask for personal information. Communicate personal information via a secure website or telephone.
Regularly check your online accounts for irregularities.
Don’t send personal data like passwords over the Internet.
If the email worries you, don’t open it
More anti-phishing tips
Secure websites show a .padlock in the bottom right corner or “https” at the beginning of the Web address.
Hover your mouse cursor over an email link to see the source code and judge if it looks legitimate.
Never unsubscribe to spam email as the link may lead to a fraudulent site and actually validate you as a recipient since you responded to the message.
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