What is Phishing? How to Recognize and Avoid Attacks

The Art of Deception

Phishing is a type of cyberattack where attackers impersonate a legitimate organization or person to trick victims into revealing sensitive information. This can include passwords, credit card numbers, social security numbers, or other personal data. The most common delivery method is a fraudulent email, but phishing can also occur via text messages (smishing) or phone calls (vishing).

Key Signs of a Phishing Email

While some phishing attempts are sophisticated, many contain red flags. Learning to spot them is your best defense:

• Sense of Urgency: The email creates pressure with threats like 'Your account will be suspended' or 'Unusual login detected'. Attackers want you to act quickly without thinking.
• Generic Greetings: Instead of using your name, the email might start with 'Dear Customer' or 'Dear Valued Member'. Legitimate companies usually address you by name.
• Spelling and Grammar Mistakes: While not always present, poor grammar and spelling are common signs of a fraudulent email.
• Suspicious Links or Attachments: Never click on links or download attachments from an email you weren't expecting. Hover your mouse over a link to see the actual destination URL. If it looks strange or doesn't match the sender's domain, it's likely a phishing attempt.

What to Do if You Suspect Phishing

If you receive a suspicious email, do not reply, click any links, or download attachments. The safest action is to delete it immediately. If the email claims to be from a company you do business with, go directly to their official website by typing the address into your browser and log in there to check for any alerts.