Phishing Scams - What to look for!

As a business owner, the security of your company's data is paramount. In the digital space, one of the most common cyber threats your business may face is phishing. Phishing is a fraudulent technique used by cyber-criminals to trick individuals into revealing sensitive information, such as passwords and credit card numbers. This fraudulent activity often occurs through deceptive emails. Therefore, understanding how to identify and handle phishing emails can be a game-changer for your business's cybersecurity.

Firstly, let's delve into what to look for in phishing emails. Typically, these deceptive emails contain a few tell-tale signs:

1.  **Urgency and Fear Tactics:** Phishing emails often create a sense of urgency, pushing recipients to act immediately. They may claim your account is compromised or that immediate action is required to avoid a negative consequence.
2.  **Grammar and Spelling Errors:** Legitimate organizations generally send well-written emails. If an email from a seemingly reputable company contains grammar or spelling mistakes, be cautious – it may be a phishing attempt.
3.  **Generic Greetings:** Phishing emails often use generic greetings like "Dear Customer" rather than your actual name.
4.  **Request for Personal Information:** Genuine companies rarely, if ever, ask for personal information via email. Any email requesting such information should raise a red flag.

Now that you know what to look for let’s discuss how to determine if the links within these emails are not legitimate.

1.  **Hover to Discover:** One of the easiest ways to check a link's legitimacy is by hovering your cursor over it. This action reveals the actual URL where the link will direct you. If the displayed URL seems odd or doesn't match the company's official website, do not click!
2.  **Check for 'HTTPS':** Legitimate websites often use 'https://' protocol to ensure a secure connection. If a link begins with just 'http://', it may not be secure, and you should avoid clicking it.
3.  **Shortened URLs:** Be cautious of shortened URLs. Cyber-criminals often use URL shortening services to disguise malicious links.
4.  **Mismatched URLs:** If the text of the URL and the URL shown on the hover-over do not match, this discrepancy could be a sign of a phishing scam.

In conclusion, phishing emails are a significant threat to businesses, but with the right knowledge, they can be effectively managed. By understanding what to look for in phishing emails and how to identify illegitimate links, you can significantly enhance your business's cybersecurity, safeguarding your valuable data from cyber-criminals. Remember, when in doubt, it is always better to err on the side of caution. Do not click links or download attachments from suspicious emails. Instead, contact the supposed sender through another method to verify the email's legitimacy. Stay vigilant, stay safe!