Most computer users have seen a phishing email but would you recognize it to be fake before it was too late? Some of today’s phishing attempts are very convincing and the methods used are always changing and getting more sophisticated. We’ve repeatedly seen the usual Bank message where they claim your accounts will be frozen unless you provide your credentials immediately. We’ve also seen the parcel delivery failed notice where the message includes a notice that a parcel is waiting for you to claim. Some of the more recent methods include a parking infraction notice, or a Photo Radar speeding ticket. There are infinite ways to grab our attention and make us want to click the link or open the attachment out of panic or curiousity. The question is, would you know what to look for when viewing an email you’re not sure of? The very first clue would be where the message came from. You might see something that looks like a legit name in the “From” field but if you hover over that name you should see the full email address. It’s most definitely not going to match where the message appears to come from. Review the message thoroughly, you’ll often find many spelling mistakes as well. Those who have fallen prey to these methods usually say they were afraid their bank accounts would really be frozen, or they were expecting a parcel. This is what the bad guys count on and why they try to create urgency in their messages. We often tell our clients, if your gut tells you it isn’t right, it probably isn’t right and you should ignore it. Just remember to think twice before clicking on a message that could compromise your computer.
