It’s hard to ignore the rise in phishing scams these days. They seem to appear in our inboxes with alarming frequency. As we become more aware of these deceptive tactics, scammers are also upping their game, using increasingly sophisticated methods to lure in unsuspecting victims.
One particularly clever tactic is to pose as a helpdesk or support team. You may receive an email informing you that your Microsoft 365 account will expire today.
The goal? To create a feeling of panic and urgency, prompting you to act quickly without thinking. So how to recognize these scams and protect yourself from falling victim to them? Let’s continue down that path to keep you safe.
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Woman opening email on laptop (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
How do you know if it is a fraudulent email?
It’s easy to see why people fall victim to these types of tactics, because scammers do a relatively good job of making these scam emails look professional and legitimate. They even go so far as to change the email sender’s contact information to something legitimate, such as a help desk, IT department, or company.
Upon closer examination of the email sender’s contact information, you can see that the domain address of the actual email address is different and random. For example, the name in the “From” field of the email can be read from the help desk, but if you click on the contact information to see the email address, it will have a domain of @magicpin.in, @ gmail.com or @hotmail.com etc. If it is an email supposedly from Microsoft, you would expect the domain to be microsoft.com.
Microsoft scam email (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
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How are victims of these types of scams exploited?
Receiving a “fake” email may seem relatively benign, but it can be a slippery slope to identity theft and fraud. Below are ways scammers take advantage of their victims with these email phishing scams:
1. Email validation: By opening the email or interacting with the email (by clicking a link or replying), you can validate that the email account they sent the message to is active. Scammers often send random emails to people whose email address they obtained through data breaches, the dark web, or data harvesting.
2. Information collection: If you respond to the email or use any other contact information they give you to “reset” your account, you will validate that the email address they contacted is active and they will likely sell you financial and personal information. If you call any phone number they provide, they will also connect your phone number to your email address so they can continue to update their information about you.
3. Malware Distribution: They will often have buttons, links or attachments included in the email. If you click on the attachment, you may download malware or a virus to your device. If you click on a link provided in the email, it may take you to a website that will collect your personal and financial information or download malware or viruses to your device.
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What should you do if you receive these types of phishing emails?
There are some simple steps you can take if you receive an email that you suspect is a phishing scam.
1. Do not click on any links or buttons and do not download or open any attachments: This helps prevent the installation of malware and protects your personal information. The best way to protect yourself from malicious links that install malware and potentially access your private information is to have antivirus software installed on all of your devices. This protection can also alert you to phishing emails and ransomware scams, keeping your personal information and digital assets safe. Get my picks for the best antivirus protection winners of 2024 for your Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS devices.
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2. Do not respond to or contact these scammers via email or phone: Interacting with them can confirm that your email address is active, leading to more scams.
3. If your email client allows it, you can block the sender and report it as a phishing email: This action helps protect you and others by alerting your email provider of malicious activity.
4. Check the legitimacy of the email by checking the organization’s official website: Direct access to your account ensures that you receive accurate information without falling for false notifications.
5. If two-factor authentication is offered for your account, enable it: 2FA It adds an extra layer of security, making it difficult for scammers to gain access even if they have your password.
6. Invest in personal data removal services: Reducing your digital footprint minimizes the risk of identity theft and scams based on collected data. While no service promises to remove all of your data from the internet, having a removal service is great if you want to constantly monitor and automate the process of removing your information from hundreds of sites on an ongoing basis over a longer period of time. Check out my top picks for data removal services here.
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Kurt’s Key Takeaways
Phishing scams are becoming more sophisticated, but staying informed and vigilant can significantly reduce your risk. By adopting good digital habits and following the tips we’ve shared, you’ll be able to navigate the online world with confidence. Remember, awareness is your best defense, so continue to share this knowledge with friends and family to help protect everyone from these deceptive tactics.
What’s the most unusual or clever phishing attempt you’ve encountered and how did you recognize it as a scam? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.
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