One way organizations are attacked by cybercriminals are through phishing emails.
One way organizations are attacked by cybercriminals are through phishing emails. These emails are designed to look like legitimate organizations, government agencies, or other companies. In these emails, the sender asks recipients to click on a link that takes them to a page to confirm personal and company data. Once your information is obtained, hackers can create new user credentials or install harmful malware onto your system to steal any sensitive data. Read on to learn just how to recognize a worrisome phishing email properly, so you know how to avoid a potential data breach!
Legitimate Companies Do Not Request Sensitive Information through Email
Chances are if you receive an email from a company that provides an attachment or a link that asks you to provide any sensitive information, it is a phishing scam. Most companies won’t send you an email asking for sensitive passwords, credit card information, tax numbers, credit scores, nor will they send you a link from which you need to log in properly.
Real Companies Typically Call You by Your Name
Phishing emails usually use generic salutations like “Dear valued member,” “dear customer” or “dear account holder.” If a company you do business with requires information about your account, the email would usually call you by your name and direct you to contact them through telephone. But, some hackers avoid the salutation entirely. This is especially common with advertisements too.
Real Companies Have Domain Emails
Don’t check the name of the person who has sent you the phishing email. Check their email address by hovering your mouse over the “from” address. Make sure there are no alterations, like additional letters or numbers. Check out the difference between a real email with a domain.
Real Companies Know How to Spell
Quite possibly, the easiest way to recognize a phishing email is through lousy grammar. An email from a legitimate company should be well written. Little known fact, there is actually a purpose behind bad syntax. Hackers are no fools. They prey on the uneducated, believing them to be less observant. If an email has any spelling mistakes at all, ignore it and report it to your company’s IT provider.
Real Companies Do Not Force You onto Their Website
Sometimes phishing emails are coded entirely as one significant hyperlink. Therefore, accidentally clicking or deliberately anywhere within the email could open a fake web page, or download spam right onto your computer. Try to avoid this if possible. Otherwise, you could be compromising both your personal and business network security.
En-Net Services Can Help Today
Experience a superior method of getting the public sector technology solutions you need through forming a partnership with En-Net Services. Our seasoned team members are familiar with the distinct purchasing and procurement cycles of state and local governments, as well as Federal, K-12 education, and higher education entities. En-Net is a certified Maryland Small Business Reserve with contract vehicles and sub-contracting partnerships to meet all contracting requirements.