how to detect phishing emails

Introduction

Attackers and scammers trick users into providing sensitive information such as usernames, passwords, credit card details, and other information by manipulating them. Such scammers mimic legitimate organizations and sources like popular websites and banks or even colleagues typically urging the recipient to take immediate actions.

These may involve downloading an attachment, clicking on a link, or providing personal information. Phishing emails include urgent language to encourage quick action without much thought. Similarly, the sender’s email addresses may be potentially spoofed, that is, having subtle spelling mistakes. Moreover, the hyperlinks may appear to lead to legitimate websites but direct to malicious sites. Following are the ways to detect a phishing email.

Ways to detect phishing emails

There can be different ways to detect fake or phishing emails.

Email addresses and domains

Examining the email addresses and domains is a way to find out whether the sender is authentic or not. No legitimate organization will send you an email from an address ending with “@gamil.com”. Small operations are the exception, but companies usually have their domain. For example, an email from PayPal will end with “@paypal.com”.

If the email domain and address are not affiliated with the sender, it is almost certainly a scam.

If the domain name after the @ symbol matches the sender, the message is probably legitimate.

Spelling or Grammar Mistakes

Domain names provide another clue to phishing scams. After understanding our previously mentioned clue, there are cases when scammers buy a registered domain. Although every domain name is unique, plenty of ways are there to make the new domain indistinguishable from the spoofed ones.

For example,
to mimic the email address and domain of “Microsoft Online”, scammers have registered ‘microsftrt online,” which could reasonably be considered an authentic address.

Moreover, professional companies have an editorial and writing staff to ensure the quality of their email and content. A message with grammar and spelling mistakes might be a scam. Such mistakes often result from translating one language to another.

Also Read : Think Before using your email on Public wifi — it is not safe.

Suspicious Attachments

Phishing emails, texts or messages or any other form of scam messages all contain a payload. Tis might be an infected attachment or link to bogus website. These payloads capture login credentials, credit card details and account numbers.

Talking about infected attachment, it is a document containing malware. In many emails, phishers claim an invoice and when the recipients open the attachments, they see that invoice is not intended for them but this is too late now. The document has unleashed malware which could perform nefarious activities.

Similarly, if the destination address does not match the context of the rest of the email, the link is suspicious.

Generic Emails

An organization that works with you typically knows your name, so an email with generic greetings, “Dear Sir/Madam” can be an indication of phishing emails. Generic greetings are often used to cast a wide net, attempting to reach numerous victims.

Avoiding specific details let them engage with the recipients without revealing lack of personal information. You can use this as a warranty. Always question why a familiar organization would fail to use your name and verify messages through secure channels.

A sense of Urgency

Attackers also know that most of us procrastinate. During this procrastination, it is more likely that you will notice things that are not right. To avoid this moment of consideration, scammers create a sense of urgency and request to act fast.

This manufactured sense of urgency is effective in the workspace environment as we are likely to drop everything if we get a vital request from our bosses. Such scams are very dangerous because even if the recipients suspect, they may not question their bosses. However, any source or organization that values cybersecurity would accept to be safe than sorry and would even appreciate the employee for the caution.

Verify through other channels

Verifying an email if you are suspicious of it is an effective strategy to protect yourself from scams. If you receive an email from an organization demanding to provide personal information or download attachments and links, reach out to the organization through trusted communication channels.

For example, if the email is from the bank, call the official customer service number listed on the bank card or website. This approach helps you confirm the legitimacy of the email. Similarly, if the email appears to come from friends or colleagues but you feel suspicious, use your phone and ask for verification.

The best way to protect yourself from such scams is to educate yourself and your employees about how they work and what to look out for.