Tip – Phishing
Phishing and not the fun kind
I want to discuss phishing as it relates to your emails and how it occurs when an entity or a person sends a friendly looking email to you in order to steal secure data from you for their financial gain and/or to access your private systems. Phishing messages sent via email, look real and are designed to be transmitted to your mobile phone, through fake text messages, and or phone calls.
How to spot fake emails
The email address looks strange possibly created using random characters, not quite human, even when your name appears correctly;
The salutation may be vague, weird, or overly general;
The email sets an urgent tone designed to cause a quick response from you; not allowing for time to digest what is before you. Remember they contacted you so it is not urgent;
Often these are from overseas and the appearance and language are off;
English is often a second language to scammers so the grammar is off and simple words are misspelled;
If the offer is too good to be true then most likely it is; again they contacted you;
Be very wary of emails requesting for you to “verify your account”. The only time you should need to verify information is when you initiate contact, trying to access your account.
What you should and should not do
If an email appears suspicious DO NOT REPLY or open any attachments or follow any links contained within;
Mitigate your risks
Always use antivirus software on your computer, such as Norton; McAfee; Sophos; Symantec;
Create a complex password and change it often. Avoid using the same one with slight modifications;
Do not click on links that you are not certain of their origin. Clicking on the link gives them what they want, access to your information;
Finally, always use professional level IT
