Don't Take the Bait: 10 Tips to Avoid Phishing Scams

Phishing attacks are one of the most prevalent and increasingly sophisticated cybersecurity threats today. According to a recent State of the Phish report, 57% of organizations experienced a successful phishing attack in 2020, and the trend shows no signs of slowing down. These attacks are designed to trick individuals into revealing sensitive information, such as passwords, financial details, or personal information. Phishing remains a significant threat, but by following these ten essential practices, you can protect both yourself and your organization from falling victim to these scams.

How to avoid phishing scams:

1. Inspect the Sender’s Email Address

   • Phishing emails often come from addresses that look almost legitimate but have very subtle differences. When receiving a suspicious email, always take a moment to inspect the sender's email address carefully. A single misplaced character or unusual spelling could signal a fake. For example, an email that claims to be from "support@yourbank.com" may come from "support@your.bank.com" instead—an easy detail to overlook.

2. Be Wary of Generic Greetings

   • Most legitimate companies personalize their communications with your name or other specific details. Phishing attempts, on the other hand, often use generic greetings like "Dear Customer" or "Dear User." Emails with such greetings combined with a sense of urgency—asking you to act immediately—are red flags. Scammers know that creating a false sense of urgency can lead you to make quick, irrational decisions, such as clicking malicious links or submitting personal data.

3. Look for Verifiable Sender Contact Information

   • If you receive a suspicious email, trust your instincts and avoid replying directly. Instead, verify the contact details by going to the organization's official website. For instance, if you receive an email supposedly from your bank, go to the bank’s official website and contact customer support directly. Verifying the legitimacy of the communication through known channels can prevent you from falling into a phishing trap.

4. Never Send Sensitive Information by Email

   • Legitimate organizations will never ask for sensitive information—like your Social Security number or passwords—via email. If you have to communicate private information, use a more secure method, such as a phone call, and ensure you're contacting the organization through a verified phone number. Sharing sensitive data over unsecured channels is a quick way to fall prey to phishing attacks.

5. Think Twice About Clicking on Unexpected Links

   • Phishing emails often include links that direct you to fake websites intended to steal your credentials. These sites might ask you to log in to "verify your account" or "reset your password." Before clicking any link, hover over it to check where it actually leads. If the URL looks suspicious or unfamiliar, do not click it. Scammers will frequently create fake login pages that mimic real websites, often making it difficult to distinguish between real and fraudulent sites.

6. Avoid Attachments from Unknown Senders

   • Attachments from unknown senders can contain malware or viruses that install malicious software on your device when opened. Even if the sender appears to be someone you know, be cautious—especially if you weren’t expecting an attachment. Phishers often disguise malicious attachments in emails that look genuine. If in doubt, contact the sender via a different communication channel to verify the authenticity of the attachment.

7. Enable Email Filters and Spam Protection

   • One of the most effective ways to protect yourself from phishing emails is to install and enable email filters, such as spam filters. These tools automatically block or filter out suspicious emails before they reach your inbox, greatly reducing the risk of encountering phishing attempts. Keep your email filters and security software updated to ensure the best protection.

8. Stay Alert to Social Engineering Tactics

   • Phishers often exploit human emotions like fear, curiosity, and urgency to deceive their targets. They might craft emails that appear to be related to current events, such as tax season, elections, COVID-19, or company updates, to prompt you to take immediate action. Social engineering tactics work because they tap into common human behaviors, making it essential to stay aware of current scams and the psychological tricks scammers use.

9. Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) is Key

   • Using multi-factor authentication (MFA) adds an extra layer of security to your accounts. Even if a phisher manages to steal your credentials, MFA ensures that an additional verification step is required to gain access, such as a code sent to your phone. This simple but effective measure can significantly reduce the risk of unauthorized access.

10. Invest in Ongoing Cybersecurity Training

    • Cybersecurity threats evolve constantly, making it essential to provide ongoing phishing awareness training for employees. Regular training programs can help your team recognize the latest phishing tactics, report suspicious activity, and follow best practices for protecting sensitive information. Phishing attacks often rely on human error, so education and awareness are key in minimizing the risks.

Our team is committed to delivering a comprehensive security awareness training solution tailored for organizations of all sizes, empowering your end-users to safeguard your business effectively against cyber threats. With over 3M in cloud deployments in over 70 countries, we have the global experience that you need. Contact us today to schedule an introductory call with one of our team members and let us help you train your end-users and better protect your business.