Phishing email scams and how to avoid them

boat and laptop

Phishing email scams and how to avoid them

 

You must have heard of phishing email scams – even if you’re not sure exactly what they are, you’ll know they’re to be avoided, but how?

Simply put, a phishing scam is an email sent under the pretence of being from someone else. Like your bank, or Amazon, or another place online where you have an account.

They encourage you to click a link and update your personal information. That might be your password, or it could be your payment details.  However, the link takes you to a page that might look like the real deal… but isn’t. It’s really a front, so that the bad guys can take your details and use your account for their own personal gain.

Knowing that some people use the same password across multiple sites (even though they shouldn’t), access multiple accounts of yours with just one password.

So how do you spot a fake email from the real thing?  Firstly, check the email address the email has been sent from. You’ll usually know the difference between a genuine email address from a company and a phoney if you look closely enough.

For example, a genuine email from Amazon will end in @amazon.co.uk and a fake might end in @emails.amazon.passwordchange.co.uk. Or something like that.

You can also check who the email has been sent to. A phishing scam is usually sent to lots of email addresses at the same time. Or the email addresses are all hidden, including your own.

Sometimes, phishing emails are full of spelling mistakes and bad grammar too. That’s a dead giveaway.

If you’re not sure if an email is genuine, don’t ever click on a link in the email. Instead go directly to the company’s website and log in that way.

Better still, you can check with your IT service provider, who would be happy to help.  One other thing to consider – you might spot a phishing email easily. But would your staff? It only takes one click on one dodgy link to give hackers access to systems.

If you’re currently looking for some assistance with your IT call on 0121 663 0203 or email hello@synium.co.uk

 

 

 

 

Simon Tonks
simon@synium.co.uk

Owner and MD of Synium who loves his job, his life and the wondrous outdoors - especially when on a golf course, or a bike of any kind (but preferably on a mountain bike going downhill fast).Please get in touch if there is anything IT related I can help you with (or if you want to talk golf or bikes :-)