As the world becomes increasingly digitized, we are more reliant on creating usernames and passwords for our online accounts. Unfortunately, cybercriminals have taken advantage of this by using a phishing scam to trick people into revealing their login information. The consequences can be catastrophic: identity theft or loss of funds. In this post, we’ll share tips on how to spot and avoid these types of scams so that you can protect yourself and your personal data from falling into the wrong hands.
What is Phishing?
Phishing is a type of online scam where criminals pose as legitimate organizations to try and trick you into giving them sensitive information like your login credentials or credit card number. These scammers can be very convincing, but there are some tell-tale signs that you can look for to spot a phishing attempt.
Phishing Types
One common type of phishing scam is known as “spear phishing.” This is where the attacker targets a specific individual or organization with personalized messages designed to trick the recipient into clicking on a malicious link or attachment. Another common type of phishing is “smishing,” which uses text messages (SMS) instead of email to try and steal your information.
If you receive an unsolicited message from an organization that you don’t recognize, be very careful before clicking on any links or attachments. Hover over any links to see where they will take you before clicking, and if possible, try to verify the authenticity of the message by contacting the organization directly through a different channel (e.g., calling customer support). Never give out your personal information or login credentials unless you are absolutely sure that the request is legitimate.
Warning Signs of a Phishing Scam
A phishing scam will exhibit one or more of the following warning signs:
- The email is not addressed to you by name. Generic greetings such as “Dear Valued Customer” are a red flag.
- The email contains threatening or urgent language. Phishers will try to create a sense of urgency to get you to click on a link or open an attachment without thinking.
- The email contains typos or other errors. This is usually a sign that the email was mass-produced and sent out quickly.
- The email asks you to click on a link or download an attachment. NEVER do this unless you are absolutely sure the email is legitimate.
- The link in the email does not match the apparent destination. Hover over any links in suspicious emails to check where they actually go before clicking on them.
In 2022, more than 48% of the emails sent in the world were related to phishing scam. This makes it the most common type of internet scam. There are more than 3.4 billion spam messages sent on a daily basis. The main purpose of this activity is to steal personal data, primarily credit card information.
Preventive Measures You Can Take to Avoid Being a Victim
There are a few preventive measures you can take to avoid being the victim of a phishing scam:
- Keep your software and antivirus up to date: Outdated software is one of the main ways that phishers can gain access to your computer or device. By making sure your software is up to date, you can patch any vulnerabilities that may have been exploited by phishers.
- Be suspicious of unsolicited emails and links: If you receive an unsolicited email or link from someone you don’t know, be suspicious. Many phishing scams rely on emails or links that appear to be from a trusted source in order to trick victims into giving up their log in information.
- Don’t enter your login information into any pop-ups: Many phishing scams use pop-ups that look like they’re from a trusted website or service in order to trick victims into entering their login information. If you see a pop-up asking for your login info, don’t enter it – chances are it’s a phishing scam.
- Check for https:// when entering login information: When entering your login information on a website, make sure that the URL starts with “https://”. This indicates that the website is using SSL/TLS encryption, which helps protect your login information from being intercepted by third parties.
- Use two-factor authentication when possible: This is a great security feature the internet has seen. Download your favorite 2-factor authenticator application from App Store or Google Play and allow your phone to generate codes for you for log-ins. This way, you will block anybody trying to access your account without your consent.
Create Strong Passwords and Use Two-Factor Authentication
Passwords
Use strong passwords that are at least eight characters long, and include a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Avoid using dictionary words or easily guessed phrases. Change your passwords regularly, and don’t reuse passwords across different accounts.
Two-Factor Authentication
In addition to a strong password, consider using two-factor authentication to further protect your account. Two-factor authentication requires you to enter both a password and a code that is generated by an app or sent to your phone. This makes it much harder for hackers to access your account even if they have your password.
How to Respond if You Suspect a Phishing Scam
If you think you may have received a phishing email, do not click on any links or open any attachments. Forward the email to your IT staff or security team and delete it from your inbox.
Summary
It’s no secret that phishing scams are becoming more and more sophisticated. As scammers get better at disguising their attacks, it can be harder to spot a phishing email or text message.
That’s why it’s important to know what to look for and how to protect yourself. Here are some tips on how to spot and avoid phishing scams that target your login information:
