Email Anatomy - Phishing Red Flags

ANATOMY OF A PHISHING EMAIL

Millions of phishing scams occur daily, making it impossible to compile a full list as fraudsters constantly devise new tactics. However, phishing emails typically exhibit identifiable warning signs. Identifying these signs is essential to protect yourself and your data. Examine the sample email provided and click on each indicator to discover common signs of phishing attempts.

SENSE OF URGENCY

Cybercriminals frequently inject urgency into phishing emails to prompt you through panic and fear. Stay cautious of emails containing phrases such as "Act now" or emphasized messages like "URGENT!" If you notice any signs of urgency in an email, make sure to conduct a thorough investigation before clicking on any links.

UNFAMILIAR RECIPIENTS

Phishing emails frequently contain other unfamiliar recipients. Verify the "To:" and "Cc:" fields in suspicious emails to determine if the message was distributed to multiple individuals. If it was, the email is likely a phishing attempt.

GENERIC GREETING

Phishing emails commonly start with generic salutations such as “Dear Customer” or “Dear Subscriber.” Scammers usually avoid personalizing these emails due to lack of time or information, leading to vague greetings. On the contrary, a reputable company you engage with will likely address you by your name.

REQUEST FOR PERSONAL INFORMATION

Many phishing emails may ask for your account details, password verification, or other personal information. To enhance your account security and access your account, open a new browser window and manually type in the website address after verifying the correct URL independently, instead of clicking on any links in the email.

DECEPTIVE LINKS

Phishing emails often ask recipients to click on a link. Scammers attempt to deceive individuals into clicking by crafting links that mimic the genuine address. For instance, they may substitute a "0" for the "o" in a company's name. Therefore, it is crucial to carefully examine links before clicking on them.

THREATS

Phishing emails often use threatening language to deceive recipients. Urgent messages about account closures or missed payments aim to prompt quick actions without weighing the repercussions. If an email contains such threats, particularly if it's the first time you're hearing about the matter, it's probably a phishing scam.

TYPOS AND MISTAKES

Misspellings, grammatical mistakes, and awkward phrasing are common indicators of phishing emails. Unlike legitimate corporations, scammers often overlook proofreading and may not communicate in their primary language. Spotting typos in a supposedly formal email, particularly alongside other red flags, could signal a phishing scam.

TYPOS AND MISTAKES

Misspellings, grammatical mistakes, and awkward phrasing are common indicators of phishing emails. Unlike legitimate corporations, scammers often overlook proofreading and may not communicate in their primary language. Spotting typos in a supposedly formal email, particularly alongside other red flags, could signal a phishing scam.