Phishing Scams: What They Are and the Best Tips to Protect Yourself

Phishing scams have been around for a very long time and show no signs of going away. They're even becoming more and more sophisticated as time goes on. So what is phishing, exactly? This blog post will discuss all you need to know about phishing scams – from their types, to the ways you can protect yourself by save emails as PDF and more!

What is Phishing?

Phishing is a type of cyberattack that uses fraudulent emails or websites to trick victims into entering sensitive information, such as passwords or credit card numbers.

The attacker then uses this information to gain access to the victim's accounts or commit identity theft. In phishing, the scammer typically poses as a legitimate company or individual to lure the victim into giving away personal information.

Why You Should be Aware of Phishing Scams

Because phishing scams are becoming more and more sophisticated, it's essential for everyone – not just businesses – to be aware of them.

Phishing can occur both online and offline, so you need to be vigilant no matter where you are. And because scammers are getting better at mimicking real emails and websites, even experienced internet users can fall victim to a phishing attack.

Falling victim to phishing can cost you a lot of money and time, not to mention the emotional stress of having your identity stolen. So it's necessary to know how to protect yourself from phishing scams.

Types of Phishing Scams

There are many different types of phishing scams, but the most common are:

Standard Phishing emails

This is the most common type of phishing attack. The scammer sends an email that appears to be from a legitimate company or individual but contains a link or attachment that installs malware on the victim's computer.

In this type of phishing, the scammer's goal is to steal the victim's login credentials or infect their computer with malware.

Spear phishing

This type of phishing targets a specific individual or organization. The attacker does thorough research on their target to create a more personalized and believable email.

Because spear phishing emails look more legitimate, they're more likely to fool the recipient into clicking on a malicious link or attachment.

Whaling

Whaling attacks are similar to spear phishing but target high-profile individuals such as CEOs, CFOs, and other executives.

The attacker creates a fake email that appears to be from someone in a position of authority, such as the CEO, and asks the victim to transfer money or provide personal information.

Malware phishing

This type of phishing installs malware on the victim's computer when they click on a malicious link or attachment.

The email may look legitimate, but the attacker's goal is to install malware that can be used to steal information or take control of the victim's computer.

Smishing (SMS Phishing)

Smishing attacks are similar to phishing attacks, but they use text messages (SMS) instead of emails to lure victims into giving away sensitive information.

Like phishing emails, smishing texts can contain links or attachments that install malware on the victim's phone.

Pharming

Pharming attacks redirect victims to a fake website that looks identical to the real thing. The attacker accomplishes this by infecting DNS servers or sending victims an email with a malicious link.

When victims click on the link, they're taken to the fake website, where they may be asked to enter sensitive information.

Malvertising

Malvertising is an attack that uses malicious ads to install malware on the victim's computer.

The attacker inserts malicious code into an ad and then sends it to a website or email list. When the victim clicks on the ad, they're redirected to a website that hosts malware.

Ways You Can be Scammed

There are many different ways you can be scammed in a phishing attack. The most common include:

Falling for a fake website

The scammer creates a fake website that looks identical to a legitimate site, such as your bank's website. They then ask the victim to enter their login credentials or other personal information.

This scam is especially dangerous because it can give the scammer access to your account and your personal information.

Email spoofing

Email spoofing is when a scammer sends an email that appears to be from a legitimate sender but is actually from a different address.

This scam is often used to trick victims into clicking on a malicious link or attachment.

Social media scams

This type of phishing scam occurs when the scammer uses social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram to lure victims into giving away personal information or money.

For example, the scammer might post a fake contest or offer free products just to get your details.

How to Protect Yourself from Phishing Scams

There are many different ways you can protect yourself from phishing attacks. The most important thing is to be aware of the dangers of phishing and never click on links or attachments from unknown senders.

Some other tips to protect yourself include:

Install an antivirus program and keep it up to date

An antivirus program can help protect your computer from malware, often used in phishing attacks. Be sure to install a reputable program and keep it up to date for the best protection.

Don't enter personal information on unfamiliar websites

Don't enter any personal details if you're not sure whether a website is legitimate. An excellent way to tell if a website is safe is to look for the lock icon in the address bar and check the website's security certificate.

Be skeptical of unsolicited emails.

If you receive an email from a sender, you don't know, be suspicious.

Don't share personal information on social media.

Social media is a common target for phishing scams. Be careful about what information you share online, and never give away your login credentials or financial information.

Check the URL before you enter it.

Before entering sensitive information into a website, ensure that the URL starts with "HTTPS." This indicates that the site is secure, and your data will be encrypted when it's transmitted.

Report phishing attacks

If you think you've been the victim of a phishing attack, report it to the proper authorities. This can help prevent other people from becoming victims and stop the scammer from continuing their attacks.

Protect your emails with two-factor authentication

Two-factor authentication (also known as two-step verification) is an extra layer of security that can help protect your email account from being hacked.

With two-factor authentication, you'll need to enter a code from your phone or another device in addition to your password when logging into your account. This makes it much harder for hackers to gain access to your account.

Use strong passwords and don't reuse them.

Using strong passwords is one of the best ways to protect your online accounts from being hacked. A strong password should at least be eight characters long and include a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols.

You should also never reuse passwords for different accounts. If a hacker gains access to one of your accounts, they'll then have access to all of them if you're using the same password.

Never click on links in emails or text messages.

This is one of the most important tips to remember. Scammers often use links to malicious websites to trick victims into giving away their personal information.

If you receive an email or text message from an unknown sender, don't click on any links. And even if the message appears to be from a friend or family member, it's best to err on the side of caution and verify the link before clicking it.

Save important emails as PDFs.

You can save important emails as PDFs instead of opening them in your email program as an extra precaution. This will help protect you from malware and other attacks that can be launched through infected attachments.

Programs and applications that save emails as encrypted PDFs allow you to convert your emails as PDF files and may be encrypted for extra security.

Final Thoughts

Phishing attacks are becoming more and more common, so always be aware of the dangers and take steps to protect yourself. By following the tips in this article, you can help keep your information safe from scammers.