How To Spot and Prevent Malicious Emails

How To Spot and Prevent Malicious Emails

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We've all clicked on a suspicious link before. Sometimes the link is harmless, and other times it could be detrimental to our systems and accounts.

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When it comes to email security, very few businesses and individuals use it, and that could lead to some serious cyber risks. Think about all of the sensitive data and private communication that's stored in your inbox. One email breach, and all of your information could get leaked or stolen.

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In some instances, we've seen cybercriminals access email accounts to delete certain messages or to send out an email on the user's behalf. Imagine if a cybercriminal got into your business email and sent out a malicious link to all of your clients... that could be detrimental to you and your business's reputation.

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Tips For Spotting Malicious Emails

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Some phishing emails are easier to spot than others, don't worry though, we have some great tips you can use to help identify malicious emails.

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1. Spelling and Grammar Mistakes

If an email has strange wording, spelling errors, or grammatical inconsistencies, this is a clear sign of a phishing scam.

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2. Requests Personal Information and Credentials

If an email appears to be from a financial institution for example, they should not request personal information through an email. If they do, this could be an indicator of an attempted phishing attack. Always double check with the institution separately before engaging with an email that asks for your personal information.

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3. High Urgency Message or Threats

Some emails you receive may appear urgent, demanding, and potentially threatening to you. Never panic and give up information in these situations. Take a minute to think about what the email claims it needs from you and assess from there. This is a common way cybercriminals can get individuals to overshare private and sensitive information.

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4. Fake Web Links or Addresses

Never click any links that are sent in an email unless you know for sure that the sender is safe. One wrong click on a malicious link or attachment and your systems could instantly be compromised. If you're unsure, either message the sender on a different platform for clarification or head over to the official website of the institution who contacted you to be extra cautious.

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5. Too Good to be True

If you receive any emails that are rewarding you or benefitting you in some way, always be skeptical. This is another common method cybercriminals use to lure in naive users.

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So there you have it! If you follow these tips, you'll be able to spot phishing emails a lot quicker and overall prevent many potential risks to your systems. This will not protect you from all phishing emails though as many modern day phishing emails are becoming more sophisticated.

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If you want to be 100% sure that the emails you're receiving are safe, our services include email protection. We monitor for anything remotely suspicious and notify our clients directly on the potentially malicious email.

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Find out more HERE

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