Phishing 101: Don’t Take the Bait – Learn to Spot the Scams

Imagine you’re enjoying your morning coffee when an email pops up claiming to be from your bank, warning you about suspicious activity on your account. Your heart races, and you click the link without a second thought.

Congratulations, you’ve just been phished! ☹

Phishing scams are sneaky and can catch anyone off guard, especially seniors. Let’s dive into an overview of phishing and how you can protect yourself.

What Exactly is Phishing?

Phishing is an online scam where attackers disguise themselves as trustworthy entities to steal sensitive information.

These deceitful messages can look incredibly convincing, mimicking emails from your bank, favorite store, or even a friend.

You might get phishing emails, texts, or phone calls, all with one goal: to trick you into giving up key personal and/or financial information. Falling for these tricks can lead to severe consequences, like losing your hard-earned money or having your identity stolen.

Common Phishing Tactics

1. Email Phishing: The classic scam. You get an email that looks real but is designed to steal your information. These emails often come with urgent messages, like fake warnings about your bank account.
2. Clone Phishing: The attacker copies a legitimate email and tweaks the links or attachments to malicious ones. It looks just like the real deal but is far from it.
3. Smishing: Scammy texts sent to your phone. These messages might offer fake prizes or urgent warnings, all to get you to click a bad link.
4. Vishing: Phone calls from fraudsters pretending to be from trusted organizations. They might ask for your personal information or pressure you to act quickly.

By recognizing these techniques, you can stay one step ahead. Always verify the source of any request for your personal information, and if something feels off, trust your instincts and double-check.

Targeted Tactics: Spear Phishing

Unlike regular phishing, which casts a wide net, spear phishing targets specific individuals or organizations. Attackers do their homework, gathering details about you to craft messages that look incredibly convincing.

For example, you might receive an email that appears to be from a coworker or a friend. This email uses your name, job title, and other personal details to look genuine. The goal? To trick you into sharing sensitive information or clicking on a malicious link. The consequences can be serious, leading to breaches of sensitive information.

Protect Yourself:

• Verify the Sender: Always check who the email is really from.
• Be Skeptical of Unexpected Requests: If someone is asking for personal or financial information out of the blue, double-check before responding.

Essential Anti-Phishing Tools

Several tools can help you avoid phishing attacks. AntivirusAntivirus software acts as a digital shield for your computer and other devices, safeguarding them a... More programs can detect and block malicious attempts. Consider using a password manager to generate and store complex passwords for you.

Important tools:

• Antivirus Software: Blocks known threats and can alert you to suspicious activity. We like Bitdefender for this.
• Password Manager: Helps you create and store strong passwords securely. Proton Pass and 1Password are our favorites.
• Browser Extensions: Some extensions can warn you if you visit a known phishing site. Bitdefender TrafficLight is a good option here.

Best Practices for Security: Guarding Against Phishing

Staying safe online can sometimes feel like navigating a minefield. With phishing scams lurking around every corner, it’s crucial to arm yourself with the best security practices.

Here are some tips to keep those pesky phishers at bay.

1. Be Skeptical of Unsolicited Messages

If you receive an unexpected email, text, or phone call asking for personal information, take a step back.

Even if the message looks like it’s from someone you know or a company you trust, it’s worth a double-check. Scammers are getting pretty good at making their messages look legit.

2. Verify Before You Trust

Before clicking on a link or opening an attachment, verify the sender’s identity. If an email claims to be from your bank but something feels off, call the bank using a known, trusted phone number.

Also, avoid clicking on links in emails. Instead, open your web browser, type in your bank’s website address manually, and log in directly from there.

Don’t use the contact details provided in the suspicious message.

3. Hover Over Links

If you are going to click a link, hover your mouse over it to see the actual URL (this only works if you’re using a computer, NOT smartphones or tablets).

If the link doesn’t match the supposed sender or looks suspicious, don’t click it. Phishers often use misleading links to lure you to malicious sites.

4. Look for Red Flags

Phishing emails often contain certain telltale signs:

• Generic Greetings: Be wary of emails that use general greetings like “Dear Customer” instead of your name.
• Spelling and Grammar Mistakes: Many phishing emails come from overseas and may contain errors.
• Urgent or Threatening Language: Scammers often try to scare you into acting quickly without thinking.

5. Keep Your Software Updated

Regularly update your operating system, browser, and any security software. Updates often include patches for security vulnerabilities that scammers exploit.

6. Use Strong, Unique Passwords

A strong password is your first line of defense. Use a combination of letters, numbers, and symbols, and avoid using the same password for multiple sites.

Consider using a password manager like Proton Pass or 1Password to keep track of your passwords.

7. Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA2FA, or Two-Factor Authentication, is a security measure that uses two different types of proof to v... More)

Adding an extra layer of security with 2FA can protect your accounts even if your password is compromised.

This usually involves receiving a code on your phone or through an app, which you must enter in addition to your password.

We HIGHLY recommend having this in place for all your sensitive accounts.

8. Be Wary of Pop-Ups

Phishers sometimes use pop-up windows to gather information. Make sure your browser’s pop-up blocker is enabled and be cautious of any pop-ups asking for sensitive information.

9. Educate Yourself and Others

Stay informed about the latest phishing scams and techniques. Share this knowledge with friends and family to help them stay safe too. The more people know, the harder it is for phishers to succeed.

10. Regularly Monitor Your Accounts

Keep an eye on your bank statements, credit reports, and online accounts for any suspicious activity. The sooner you spot a problem, the quicker you can take action to fix it.

By following these best practices, you can create a strong defense against phishing scams and keep your personal information secure. Remember, a little caution goes a long way in staying safe online.

What to Do If You’ve Been Phished

Acting quickly is key if you’ve been phished. This section covers the most important steps you need to take to protect yourself and recover from an attack.

Immediate Steps to Take

Stay calm. It’s easy to panic, but staying calm helps you think more clearly.

Disconnect your device. If you’re online, disconnect from the internet. Unplug the cable or turn off Wi-Fi to stop any ongoing attack.

Scan for malware. Run a complete scan using your antivirus software. Remove any threats found.

Change your passwords. Update passwords on all important accounts, starting with email and banking accounts. Use strong, unique passwords.

Enable two-factor authentication. Add an extra layer of security by setting up two-factor authentication on your accounts.

Reporting the Phish

Contact your bank. If you’ve entered financial information, call your bank immediately. They can help secure your accounts and monitor for suspicious activity.

Report to authorities. File a report with your country’s cybercrime unit or relevant agency. In the United States, you can report to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).

Inform your email provider. Forward the phishing email to your email provider. Major providers like Gmail have processes to deal with such threats.

Notify affected contacts. If you think your email or social media accounts were used to spread the phishing attack, inform your contacts to be cautious.

Recovering from an Attack

Monitor your accounts. Keep an eye on your bank statements and online accounts. Look for unfamiliar transactions or activity.

Check credit reports. Obtain a copy of your credit report and check for new accounts or loans you didn’t open.

Secure your devices. Update your device’s software, antivirus, and operating system regularly to protect against future attacks.

Educate yourself. Learn about phishing signs and how to avoid them. Share this knowledge with friends and family to help them stay safe.

Seek professional help. If you’re unsure about what to do or need assistance, consider reaching out to a cybersecurity professional for guidance.