How to Detect and Stop Online Phishing Attempts
Phishing attacks, malware, and online fraud are becoming increasingly common, so knowing how to protect yourself from these threats is important. Here are 10 ways to recognize and avoid phishing scams, malware, and other online fraud.
Be wary of emails that appear from a legitimate source, like a bank, but are not from a known or trusted contact.
Hover over links in emails to check the web address before clicking on a link. If the address looks suspicious, don’t click on it.
Don’t open attachments from people you don’t know or trust.
Don’t give out personal or financial information, such as credit card details, bank account numbers, or Social Security numbers, unless you know and trust the person or organization asking for it.
Be wary of emails that appear to be too good to be true. Scammers often try to convince you to give them your money or personal details.
Be aware of known phishing sites. Make a note of any sites that you know, or suspect are part of a phishing scam.
Don’t click on links in emails or text messages from people you don’t know or trust.
Don’t use public Wi-Fi networks to make online payments or access your online accounts.
Develop a habit of checking to see if the web address differs from the original. Scammers use logos and graphics that look like the real thing to try to steal your personal and financial information.
Report any phishing emails or messages to the relevant authorities. This will help you identify new phishing scams and protect yourself from becoming a victim.
What is Phishing?
Phishing is an online fraud when someone tries to trick you into giving them personal information, such as your passwords or credit card numbers. Phishing attempts can come through emails, websites, or even text messages. To avoid becoming a victim of phishing scams, it is important to recognize and avoid known phishing sites, never click on links or open attachments from unknown senders, and be careful about the websites you visit. You can also protect yourself from phishing attempts by keeping your computer's security software up to date, avoiding public Wi-Fi networks, and hovering over links to check the web address before clicking. If you're unsure whether an email or website is legitimate, contact the company or person the email claims to be from to confirm or do a quick web search to see if others have reported it as a phishing site.
How to Detect Phishing Attempts
Phishing attempts can come in the form of emails, websites, or even text messages, and while they may vary in sophistication, they all share one common goal: to steal sensitive information from their victims. To avoid becoming a victim of a phishing attack, it is important to recognize and avoid known phishing sites, be wary of emails that appear too good to be true, and never click on a link or open an attachment from someone you don't know or trust. Additionally, it is a good idea to hover over the link next to the URL to check if it differs from the original.