With today’s culture it security is one of our biggest concerns with everything being digital from online banking to conferences and evening tax filing. It should be our number one priority to protect ourselves from cyber-attacks and or threats. 

With an increase in phishing attacks, it is said that over thirty percent (30%) of these attacks are done via emails that and being opened unknowingly, which means this should not be taken lightly. Quite a number of your spams contain malicious attachments that can infect devices and or capture essential data. 

What Is Phishing?  

According to the webster dictionary, phishing is defined as a scam by which an internet user is duped (as by a deceptive email message) into revealing personal or confidential information that he scammer/attacker can use illicitly. 

As is said above, a phishing attack usually happens through emails to aid in a cyber attack. Phishing is mainly done via emails sent in links that look most legitimate as that of the reputable company. It is a lucrative business for most scammers/attackers as it players on your most basic instinct.

Avoiding Phishing Scam/Attacks

While phishing attacks are rampant, there are steps that we can take to ensure we are protected. Here are seven ways you can do so:

  1. Check Before You Click: It is easy to click a link/URL displayed in a trustworthy environment; however, an unknown email URL should be checked out before you proceed. Once you receive a random email you are unsure of, you first, hover over the link/URL you see as uncertain before clicking on it. At this point, look to the bottom left corner of your screen to view its corresponding URL. A phishing email may carry a link that looks just like that of a legitimate company, but when selected takes you to a malicious page that will infect devices and capture information.
  2. Stay Informed: It is a fact that as new security measures are made or put in place, the attackers do change their techniques. Not staying on top of the information game (keeping informed), you stand the possible chance of quickly falling prey to these scammers. Updates are often on the news (television) and various online medium.
  3. Update Browser: Security patches are released continuously for popular browsers often. These releases are a defense against various security loopholes that may be noticed and even used by numerous scammers and cyber attackers. Once an upgrade is speculated, please upgrade immediately, ignoring updates that only leave you prey for your attackers.
  4. Avoiding Attachments and Links: When to avoid illegitimate URL/links at times, hit us in the face, but we choose to ignore them. We can pick this up easy or say some of the this we have ignored are lousy grammar, request for personal information misspelling, or even a.net where a .com should be. This means never click on a link or attachment that is not trustworthy.
  5. Anti-phishing Installation: You would find with modernized browsers that they would have an anti-phishing toolbar already installed for your auto protection. This protection is done by doing quick checks on sites you are visiting compared to popular fishing websites. The sophistication of this tool quickly alerts you to any malicious site s once visiting. This is one know layer of protection and is entirely free for its users. 
  6. Never Give Personal Information: This is the golden rule and is being said many times but never enough. Don’t ever volunteer your sensitive personal information. Articles prior will inform you of your confidential data that you should never share. These include but, in the know ay limited to financial details, login credentials for separate accounts, social security number (SSN), and many more. If you notice the majority of the phishing websites carefully frequently request the previously mentioned sensitive information.
  7. Antivirus Software: There are multi reasons for using antivirus software, and phishing protection are one such. Your antivirus software stays on your device(s) to protect from malicious attacks that may work around your first security line or work around the loophole. It is like another line of defense.

Conclusion

 I hope this article aids you in being better able to protect against phishing attacks and scams. Reminder to always check your URLs or links before clicking to go through to your new browser. Continually update browser and antivirus software as these protect you by hiding your possible loopholes and system workarounds. The most important rule of them all never shares sensitive information and login credentials.