Phishing attacks have been a topic for several years and may feel like old news. Yet, phishing is still a favored attack method of cybercriminals; in fact, phishing attacks continue to increase each month. What’s new is that attackers have become exceedingly good at crafting convincing emails – even using AI to generate content. It is critical to review emails in detail before fully trusting them.
This month, we are talking about how to identify phishing emails and avoid being hacked.
What to Look For
Remember that attackers play on your emotions. They often convey a sense of urgency in the email, wanting you to click before thinking. When you receive an email, take a moment and go through this simple 3-point review before clicking links or opening attachments.
- Verify the Sender and Recipients - Review the name and email address of everyone on the email. Pay close attention to spelling, as an address may look correct but has slight differences.
- Review Links - You can safely hover your mouse over a link to see where the link will take you. If the address looks strange, don't click the link.
- Look for Inconsistencies - Review the email carefully for grammar, misspelled words, or strange greetings.
Summary
With a simple review, you can typically spot a phishing email quickly. If an email is not legitimate, it is safe to delete. Remember:
- Carefully check all email addresses.
- Hover over links to see where they will take you.
- Review the full email for context.
If still in doubt, please contact our support team at helpdesk@epion.com. We are always happy to help.