Phishing Attacks: How Scammers Trick You into Sharing Personal Information

Phishing attacks—a sneaky tactic used by cybercriminals to steal your confidential information—are getting more sophisticated by the day. 

As of 2024, a staggering 3.4 billion phishing emails flood inboxes worldwide on a daily basis. Even with advanced filters in place, about 20% of these malicious emails slip through, reaching unsuspecting victims. This is why phishing awareness is more crucial than ever.

The Rising Tide of Phishing Attacks

Phishing is no longer just the occasional nuisance email that lands in your junk folder. It’s evolved into a major threat in the cybersecurity landscape. A recent report from the Anti-Phishing Working Group reveals that phishing attacks have seen a 260% increase in the past two years alone. That’s an alarming surge, with millions of people potentially at risk.

Here’s what you need to know:

• Volume: Over 3.4 billion phishing emails are sent daily.
• Reach: Approximately 680 million of these emails bypass security filters and land in inboxes.
• Impact: Every day, thousands of individuals fall prey to phishing scams, resulting in significant data breaches and financial loss.

Given these numbers, it’s vital to stay informed and vigilant. With the right knowledge, you can sidestep these digital traps and keep your information secure.

Red Flags in Phishing Emails

Spotting a phishing email is like finding Waldo in a crowded scene—sometimes obvious, but often cleverly disguised. Let’s break down some telltale signs of phishing emails to help you steer clear of cyber traps:

1. Personal Information is Requested

Nobody in their right mind will ask you to send a bank account or social security number over email. Seasoned phishermen do their best to make an email look as authentic as possible, with use of signatures, logos and spoofed display names & email addresses. Remember, your bank already has your account number, they don’t need you to confirm it – and if they do, call them directly.

2. URLs Don’t Match

Spammers use spoof websites all the time that mimic a real-life domain to try and extract information from unsuspecting victims. The email may say realsite.com but if you hover over the link it shows realsite.fakesite.com. It’s easy to hyperlink text to a different domain in outlook, and most people would never think to check & potentially avoid phishing.

3. Poor Spelling and Grammar

When emails go out to an entire company there is usually some review process in place. Phishers don’t have anyone to spell check for them. You can avoid phishing by simply ignoring poorly worded emails that seem out of character.

4. You Won a Prize You Never Entered

Ah, the thrill of winning something! But remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. If you didn’t buy a lottery ticket, it’s impossible to win the lottery in the first place. Unfortunately, it’s not your lucky day, unless you consider your ability to identify a phishing attack as luck. Phishers use this tactic to trick you into handing over personal information.

5. Intimidating Messages

Getting an email from the IRS or FBI threatening action is enough to put anyone on edge. However, official agencies do not communicate sensitive information via email. If you receive a message that’s alarming or demands immediate action, it’s likely a scam. Our best tip is to ignore these messages – avoid phishing, and go about your day. You probably didn’t do anything wrong.

6. You’re Asked for Money in the Message

If Suzie in the cube next to yours sends out an email to your team asking you to pay up for your Girl Scout Cookies and you bought Girl Scout Cookies from Suzie’s daughter, then go ahead and write her a check or use PayPal. However, if you’re told in an email that you owe back taxes and need to pay by this date using this link then it’s certainly a scam.

Staying Ahead of Sophisticated Phishing Tactics

Identification is the most important step you can take to avoid a phishing attack. Most of the responsibility in avoiding phishing attempts falls on the end user, because they are the ones receiving the email.

As an IT Department, it’s important to have filters set up to discourage phishing emails from ever showing up in an inbox, but unfortunately sophisticated attempts can still find a way through.

In the arms race between cybersecurity professionals and cybercriminals, the latter are constantly evolving their tactics. Here are additional tips to stay ahead:

• Look for Generic Greetings: Emails from reputable companies usually address customers by their name. If you’re greeted as “valued customer,” that’s a clue to scrutinize further.
• Beware of Urgent Language: Phishing emails often create a sense of urgency to prompt impulsive reactions. If an email demands immediate action, slow down and verify.
• Check the Email Domain: Scrutinize the sender’s email address. While it might appear legitimate at first glance, subtle changes like “support@appleinc.co” instead of “support@apple.com” suggest foul play.

Protect Your Digital Life

Now that you’re equipped with the knowledge to identify phishing attacks, it’s time to put it into action. Encourage your organization to invest in robust email filters and conduct regular cybersecurity training sessions. Remember, the best defense against phishing is a well-informed user.

Stay smart, stay safe, and don’t hesitate to reach out to ThrottleNet for support. Want more tech tips and updates? Contact us today to learn how we can help safeguard your business and employees.