Phishing is an online scam where hackers try to steal your personal information, such as your login credentials, credit card numbers, or Social Security number. These scammers dupe their victims by sending emails that appear to be coming from credible sources, like banks or other email providers. Phishing attacks can be dangerous, resulting in identity theft or financial losses. SureLock Technology will discuss phishing scams and how to protect yourself from them!

Understand What Phishing Is

Phishing is a cyber attack in which fraudsters use fake emails or websites to con people into revealing personal information like passwords or credit card numbers. The attacker then uses this information to gain access to the victim’s accounts or to commit identity theft. Phishing attacks can be difficult to spot, as the attackers often use spoofed email addresses and websites that look identical to legitimate ones.

1. Phishing is online fraud that involves tricking people into disclosing personal or financial information.

2. Phishing scams can be made through emails, text messages, phone calls, and websites.

3. The most common type of phishing scam is an email that appears to be from a legitimate company or organization, such as a bank or credit card company. The email will usually contain a link that directs the recipient to a fake website that looks identical to the actual website. The phony website will then ask the person to input their personal or financial information.

4. There are several ways to protect yourself from phishing scams, including being suspicious of unsolicited emails and never opening links in emails unless you are sure they are legitimate. Additionally, you can install anti-phishing software on your computer and keep your operating system and cyber security software up to date.

Also, read our blog on staying one step ahead of hackers with these network security designs.

5. If you receive a phishing email, do not reply or click on any links. Instead, report it to your email service provider and then delete it from your inbox

12 Ways To Protect Yourself From Phishing Attacks

1. Be Wary of Emails From Unknown Senders

One of the most common ways phishers will try to trick you is by sending you an email from an unknown sender. This email may look like it’s from a legitimate company or organization, but it usually contains typos or other errors. If you receive an email from an unknown sender, check the email address carefully before opening it. If the address looks suspicious, it’s best to delete the email.

2. Don’t Click on Links in Suspicious Emails

Another way phishers will try to trick you is by including links in their emails. These links may look like they lead to a legitimate website, but they lead to a fake website designed to steal your information. If you receive an email with a link, don’t click on it unless you’re sure it’s safe.

3. Be Wary of Attachments in Emails

Phishers will also sometimes include attachments in their emails. The attachments often contain malware that can infect your computer and allow the phisher to access your personal information. As with links, you should only open attachments from emails if you’re sure that they’re safe.

4. Don’t Respond to Suspicious Emails

If you receive a suspicious email, don’t respond to it. Phishers often send out mass emails in the hopes that someone will respond. You’re essentially confirming your email address by replying, making it more likely that you’ll receive more phishing attempts.

5. Check the Email Header for Clues

One way to determine if an email is genuinely from the sender it claims to be from is by checking the email header. The header contains information about where the email came from and how it was routed to your inbox. The email is likely a phishing attempt if you see anything suspicious in the header, such as an incorrect sender address or routing information.

6. Look for Grammatical Errors and Typos

Phishers will often make mistakes when crafting their emails, such as using poor grammar or including typos. These mistakes can be clues that an email is not legitimate. However, it’s important to note that not all phishing emails will contain these mistakes, so don’t rely on them as your sole method of detection.

7. Be Wary of Emails That Create a Sense of Urgency

Phishers often try to create a sense of urgency in their emails to get victims to take action without thinking twice. For example, an email might claim that your account has been compromised, and you must take action immediately to protect yourself. Or, an email might say there’s been unusual activity on your account, and you need to verify your information immediately.

8. Be Careful When Entering Personal Information Online

When entering personal information online, only do so on websites you trust. Avoid entering personal information on websites that seem suspicious or that you’re not familiar with. Additionally, be sure to use a secure connection when entering personal information online by looking for the https:// at the beginning of the website’s address.

9. Keep Your Software Up-to-Date

One of the best ways to protect your computer from malware is to keep your software up-to-date. Attackers often exploit cyber security vulnerabilities in outdated software to gain access to computers, so it’s important to install updates as soon as they’re available. You can typically set your computer to install updates automatically, so you don’t have to remember to do it yourself.

10. Use a Firewall

A firewall is a piece of software that helps to protect your computer from malicious traffic by blocking certain types of incoming and outgoing traffic. It’s a good idea to use a firewall even if you have other cyber security measures in place, as it can provide an extra layer of protection.

11. Use Anti-Virus Software

Anti-virus software is another type of software that can help protect your computer from malware and other threats. This software scans your computer for viruses and other malicious programs and removes them if found. It’s essential to keep your anti-virus software up-to-date to protect your computer against new threats effectively.

12. Use Two-Factor Authentication When Available

Two-factor authentication (also known as two-step verification) is an additional layer of cyber security that can be used to protect online accounts. With two-factor authentication enabled, users must enter their password and a second factor (usually a code generated by an app on their phone) to log into their account. It makes it much more difficult for attackers to access accounts, even if they have stolen the user’s password.

Click here to learn how to identify and avoid phishing scams.

Need Cyber Security Services in Loganville, GA?

If you are looking for a reliable and experienced cyber security company in Loganville, GA, contact SureLock Technology. Our IT services aim to provide peace of mind by knowing your data is safe and secure. In addition to our cyber security services, we also offer free design analysis to ensure your website functions at its best. Contact us today to get started!