Phishing emails are fake emails that are sent to look like real emails, but have the agenda to steal your personal information. This can include credit card numbers, street addresses, phone numbers, passwords, or any other type of personal information.
Ways to Identify
- Real companies usually don’t send unsolicited attachments.
- Real companies have zero or almost zero spelling mistakes.
- Real companies do not force you to go to a specific website.
- Real companies usually call you by name and not generically.
- Real companies do not ask for sensitive information through email.
- Real companies do not threaten or force you to complete an action.
- Real companies usually use official email domains that are short and simple.
Overall
It is important to understand that one way of identifying a phishing email may not be enough. Finding multiple red flags is much more reliable in finding phishing emails and protecting your personal information. If you are unsure if an email is real or not, then do not open it. You can always try contacting the company directly from their website and not from the email to confirm if it indeed is real or not.
If you need advice, you can always contact Computer Support Heroes for help!