How To Spot A Phishing Email
Anton Hilton • June 21, 2020
Phishing emails are the most common way that hackers can compromise your computer systems. Hackers are becoming increasingly sophisticated in their traps to hack businesses including increasingly realistic phishing emails.
A study by Capeterra found that during lockdown almost a third of UK workers at SMEs have been victim to phishing emails. Hackers have been able to steal passwords, unlocking valuable data. Employees are often the last line of defence for hackers, so we have shared how to spot a phishing email to protect your business.
Email Domain
One quick way to spot a phishing email is by checking the email address domain that the email was sent from. This is the part of the email address after the @ symbol. Some hackers are able to appear as a sender that you may have already had contact with in the past, causing only the sender display name to show (such as IT Department). Always check the full email address that is claiming to be “IT Department”, as this will show you if it is real or not. The fake email address may often contain a random series of letters and numbers indicating it is false.
Formatting
The email may look visibly different if it is a scam. Logos may appear blurred, or the wrong size. Text may not appear in line with margins, and the email could be poorly spelled. As well as spelling, phishing emails often contain poor grammar. If you are unsure whether the email if real or fake, contact the sender directly via telephone or a separate email chain and do not click on anything in the email.
Attachments and hyperlinks
Phishing emails contain attachments or hyperlinks most of the time. The attachment will be infected and contain malware that installs itself onto your computer system without you knowing it. If a fake attachment is opened, it may not be clear that it contains anything suspicious at all, as the malware is invisible. Never open an attachment unless you are sure that the email is legitimate. If you are unsure, you could start a separate email chain to check with the sender that they sent the email.
Hyperlinks contained in phishing emails are often easier to spot as the hyperlink URL will be addressed to a completely different website than suggested. Ensure to check where the link goes before clicking on it – you can do this by simply hovering your mouse over the link.
Urgent language
Using language that creates a sense of urgency and panic makes it more likely for people to click on links and attachments without taking the time to check the email properly. A common example is an email suggesting under payment, over payment, or late payment. If you receive an unusual message claiming an urgent response, it is best to ask a manager to confirm the email and do not click on anything in the email.
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