Phishing attacks are more frequent, more sophisticated, and more dangerous than ever. These deceptive cyber threats trick individuals into revealing sensitive information like passwords, financial data, and personal identification details—all while pretending to be a trusted source. Understanding phishing and adopting smart phishing protection tips is your first line of defense against this growing threat.
Phishing is a type of social engineering attack that preys on human error. Whether through email, text (SMiShing), phone calls, or social media, cybercriminals often impersonate someone you trust—like a coworker, bank, or client—to manipulate you into taking urgent, risky action. The result? Data breaches, financial losses, and compromised systems. Hackers and fraudsters use these tactics because it is easier and less expensive to trick people than to hack into a computer or network.
The Rise of Phishing and Protecting Yourself
Significantly, the frequency, severity, and complexity of phishing attempts have all been increasing in recent years. For example, the rate of phishing attacks in October 2022 was 61 percent higher than the previous year. Attackers have access to more sophisticated tools, information about potential victims, and channels for possible attacks.
Here are some helpful habits from Inspired eLearning—put these into practice to proactively protect yourself, and your business and clients, from phishing scams.
To help you stay ahead of phishing scams, explore these eight essential phishing protection tips you can start using today:
1. Learn to Read URLs Carefully
Phishing attackers often create fake URLs that mimic legitimate websites. Always check the domain—the part between “http://” and the first slash. For example, “http://www.bank.com” is legitimate, while “http://wwwbank.com” is not. Many organizations are moving to a secure domain structure. HTTPS indicates that the URL uses proper, secure encryption to protect users and the organization.
2. Report Suspicious Activity to Coworkers
Hackers may use a friend or coworker’s email address to send viruses, malware, or phishing attempts. If you notice anything odd coming from a colleague’s email—like strange links or attachments—let them know right away and delete the email. Their account may be compromised. Alerting them early can stop the spread of phishing attempts to others.
3. Verify the Sender Before Sharing Personal Info
Phishing is fraudulently obtaining information about a user by posing as a trusted entity—like a bank. Never give out confidential information just because an email looks official. Avoid phishing schemes by contacting the sender of the email to confirm that this organization sent the message. Legitimate institutions will not ask for sensitive information by email.
4. Type Web Addresses Directly
Avoid clicking on links you receive in an email, especially from people you don’t know. The stated name of the website might be for a company you already trust and use, but the actual link may take you to a fake, or copycat, website designed to steal your account’s login information.
5. Be Suspicious of Unsolicited Messages
If you get an unexpected message—even if it seems personal or relevant—be cautious. Scammers often use public information, like your social media posts, to personalize their phishing attempts. For example, one common scam is using your grandmother’s name in an email and claiming that she has gotten into financial trouble and needs a money wire transfer.
6. Don’t Automatically Trust Emails from Colleagues
Just because an email appears to be from a coworker doesn’t mean it is. An email from them may have come from a hacked account. If something feels off, verify through another method (like a phone call) before replying or clicking any links. Do not respond directly to the email before you know it came from a valid source.
7. Hover Before You Click
Before clicking any link, hover your cursor over it to see the site’s actual address. If it doesn’t match what’s shown, don’t click it. You can also copy and paste the link into a text file to inspect it safely.
8. Watch Out for SMiShing Texts
Phishing via text message or “SMiShing” is on the rise. SMiShing occurs when a cybercriminal sends a text or SMS message to another individual requesting their personal information. If you get a message from an unknown number asking for personal info or claiming you’ve won a contest, treat it as suspicious. Legitimate companies won’t ask for sensitive data over text. If you detect a phishing attempt, or are suspicious about a message, delete or report it as spam.
Be Proactive About Phishing Protection
Phishing threats are evolving, but so can your defenses. Arm yourself with the security knowledge and be the first line of defense against phishing attacks. By staying informed and alert, you reduce the risk of falling victim to these attacks—and you help protect your organization too. Share these phishing protection tips with your team, and if you need help strengthening your cybersecurity awareness, get in touch with our experts today.