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Email Phishing #

Are you sure that email from UPS is actually from UPS? (Or Costco, BestBuy, or the myriad of unsolicited emails you receive every day?) Companies and individuals are often targeted by cybercriminals via emails designed to look like they came from a legitimate bank, government agency, or organization. In these emails, the sender asks recipients to click on
a link that takes them to a page where they will confirm personal data, account information, etc.

What is phishing?

This technique is called phishing, and it’s a way hackers con you into providing your personal information or account data. Once your info is obtained, hackers create new user credentials or install malware (such as backdoors) into your system to steal sensitive data.

Phishing emails today rarely begin with, “Salutations from the son of the deposed Prince of Nigeria…” and it’s becoming increasingly difficult to distinguish a fake email from a verified one. But, most have subtle hints of their scammy nature. Here are seven email phishing examples to help you recognize a malicious email and maintain email security.

1. Legit companies don’t request your sensitive information via email
Chances are if you receive an unsolicited email from an institution that provides a link or attachment and asks you to provide sensitive information, it’s a scam. Most companies will not send you an email asking for passwords, credit card information, credit scores, or tax numbers, nor will they send you a link from which you need to login.

2. Legit companies usually call you by your name
Phishing emails typically use generic salutations such as “Dear valued member,” “Dear account holder,” or “Dear customer.” If a company you deal with required information about your account, the email would call you by name and probably direct you to contact them via phone. BUT, some hackers simply avoid the salutation altogether. This is especially common with advertisements. The
phishing email below is an excellent example.

Everything in it is nearly perfect. So, how would you spot it as potentially malicious? The clue was in the email domain.  Take a look at it: hotelscom.roktpowered.com . First error
is “hotelscom” and second is the domain “roktpowered.com”. The domain for hotels.com is hotels.com.

3. Legit companies have domain emails
Don’t just check the name of the person sending you the email. Check their email address by hovering your mouse over the ‘from’ address. Make sure no alterations (like additional numbers or letters) have been made. Check out the difference between these two email addresses as an example of altered emails: michelle@paypal.com michelle@paypal23.com Just remember, this isn’t a foolproof method. Sometimes companies make use of unique or varied domains to send emails, and some smaller companies use third party email providers. 

Costco phishing example “Costco’s” logo is just a bit off. This is what the Costco logo is supposed to look like. See the difference? Subtle?

4. Legit companies know how to spell
Possibly the easiest way to recognize a scammy email is bad grammar. An email from a legitimate organization should be well written. Little known fact – there’s actually a purpose behind bad syntax. Hackers generally aren’t stupid. They prey on the uneducated believing them to be less observant and thus, easier targets.

Best Buy phishing example In addition to the generic salutation, grammar gaffes are usually a good clue that something is wrong. “Please fill this form…” And notice the ‘17’ reference in the middle of the sentence.

It doesn’t matter if you have the most secure security system in the world. It takes only one untrained employee to be fooled by a phishing attack and give away the data you’ve worked so hard to protect. Make sure you  understand these specific email phishing examples and all of the telltale signs of a phishing attempt.