Email Phishing 101: What Exactly is Email Phishing?

Protecting Yourself from Email Phishing Scams

Protecting your personal information online doesn’t have to feel like a full-time job. Once you know what to look for, spotting potential email scams becomes much easier. Phishing emails, for instance, are scams that appear in your inbox disguised as messages from legitimate entities. They aim to steal sensitive information or trick you into harmful actions.

We’ve compiled some of the most common phishing email tactics, along with actionable tips to recognize and avoid them. Read on to safeguard your email inbox against these threats.

What is Email Phishing?

Email phishing refers to online scams delivered through email. These fraudulent messages often imitate trusted organizations, friends, or even family members to gain access to your personal information. From credit card numbers to passwords, phishing scams aim to take advantage of unsuspecting users.

Typically, phishing emails rely on one thing: getting you to click on a malicious link or download an attachment. While simply opening an email won’t compromise your information, interacting with its content could.

Common Types of Phishing Attacks

Phishers use a wide range of techniques to deceive users. Here are some of the most common methods:

Standard Email Phishing: Mass email scams impersonating trusted organizations, aiming to gather sensitive information.
Malware Phishing: Tactics that trick victims into downloading malware via links or file attachments.
Spear Phishing: Highly personalized attacks targeting specific individuals, such as executives or public figures.
Business Email Compromise (BEC): Fake communications posing as internal company emails that request urgent actions, like transferring funds or purchasing gift cards.

Despite their different approaches, these scams share the same goal: gaining unauthorized access to your private information.

Signs of Phishing Emails

Knowing the telltale signs of phishing attempts can save you from potential harm. Here’s what to watch out for in suspicious emails:

Spoofed Email Addresses: Look for subtle misspellings or extra characters in the sender’s address.
Urgent or Threatening Language: Phrases like “Your account will be closed” aim to pressure immediate action.
Hyperlinks to Fake Websites: Scammers might mimic reputable URLs, e.g., “yale.com” instead of “yale.edu.”
Impersonation of Trusted Entities: Logos and names of real brands are often used to create a false sense of credibility.
Spelling and Grammar Errors: Professional organizations rarely send emails with obvious language mistakes.
Generic Greetings: “Dear Customer” or “Valued User” instead of addressing you by name can signal a potential scam.

Steps to Safeguard Your Email

Filters alone can’t catch every phishing attempt. Here’s how you can stay one step ahead:

Keep Software Updated: Regular updates include security patches to protect against new threats.
Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Adding an extra layer of security makes it harder for attackers to access your accounts.
Verify Links and Sources: Instead of clicking links in an email, directly visit official websites through a search engine.

What to Do If You’ve Been Phished

Mistakes happen, even when you’re cautious. If you suspect you’ve fallen victim to phishing:

Report It: Forward phishing emails to [email protected]. For text scams, forward them to 7726.
Change Your Passwords: Start with the account involved in the breach, then update any others that used the same credentials. Consider using a reputable password manager to generate strong, unique passwords and store them securely.
Scan Your Device: Use up-to-date antivirus software to check for malware or other harmful activity.
Notify the FTC: Visit reportfraud.ftc.gov to file a report.

The faster you act, the better you can protect yourself and others from phishing attacks.

Conclusion: The Bigger Picture

Every day, about 3.4 billion phishing emails are sent globally. Google alone blocks over 100 million phishing emails daily, proving just how widespread these threats are. Businesses and individuals alike lose an estimated $17,700 per minute due to these scams, with over half of malicious emails impersonating major brands like Microsoft and Amazon.

Education and awareness are your best defense. By understanding what phishing emails look like, recognizing the signs, and following preventive measures, you can drastically reduce your risk.

If you’re looking for a trusted, private, and secure email solution, explore options like EarthLink that prioritize your cybersecurity. Always remember to act carefully online and stay informed about evolving threats.