Emails and Phishing: How to Recognize and Prevent Fraud

Fraud through emails continues to be a relevant issue for users worldwide. Every year, millions of people fall victim to scammers using emails to obtain personal data and money.

Phishing — this is one of the types of fraudulent schemes on the internet, through which criminals try to deceitfully obtain users' confidential information. Scammers hunt for passwords, credit card numbers, and other data. Most often, fraudsters use emails to spread their attacks. They create fake messages that look like they were sent from legitimate organizations, such as banks, social networks, or online stores.

The main goal of phishing — is to trick the user into clicking a link, dumping data into a fake form, or downloading malware. Various phishing techniques can include spam, social engineering, and even mass messages on social networks.

Signs of a Phishing Email

Understanding the signs of a phishing email can significantly reduce the risk of becoming a victim of scammers. Here are a few key signs to watch out for.

1. Unusual greeting. If the email starts with "Dear user" or other generic expressions, it could be a sign of phishing. Legitimate organizations usually address their clients by name.
2. Spelling errors. Background checks of spelling and grammar in phishing emails often leave much to be desired. Scammers may not be very attentive to details, and such emails can contain many errors. Even if an email looks professional but contains gross errors, it should raise suspicion.
3. Urgency. Phishing emails often contain elements of pressure. Attackers may claim that your account will be blocked or that you need to provide data immediately to avoid inconvenience. This is done to make the victim act quickly without considering the situation.
4. Suspicious links. Often phishing emails contain links leading to fake sites. To check where a link leads, hover over it without clicking. You will see the address it leads to. If it looks strange or does not match the official site, do not click on that link.
5. Requests for personal information. Legitimate companies rarely ask clients to provide confidential information via email. If the email contains a request to enter a card number, password, or any other personal data, this is a clear sign of phishing. 

How to Recognize a Phishing Message

When receiving an email from an unknown sender, it is important to be attentive and follow a few simple rules.

Most phishing emails come from addresses that may outwardly seem authoritative but are actually fake. Check if the sender's domain matches the official domain of the company. For example, if you receive an email from "example@bank.test", and the official bank address is "info@bank.com", it could be fraud.

Always pay attention to the content of the email. If it seems unusual, overly formal, or quite vague, there is a chance it is phishing. Compare it with emails you have received from this organization before. If the style and format differ significantly, it is a warning sign.

Nowadays, there are various ways to check suspicious emails. For example, browser extensions can check addresses for dangerous content.

Besides recognizing phishing emails, it is important to know how to protect your data and accounts from scammers' attacks.

It is important to use unique passwords and update them regularly. Make sure passwords consist of letters, numbers, and special characters. This will significantly complicate the task for scammers.

For most internet services, two-factor authentication is available. It requires entering a code sent to your mobile phone or email each time you log into an account. This makes your account much more secure.

On social networks, always be careful about what information you publish. Do not post details of your personal life, as they can be used by scammers for more precise targeting of you.

Regularly updating antivirus software will help protect your computer from malware that can be downloaded from phishing emails. Make sure you have the latest version of your antivirus installed and perform regular system checks.

How to Avoid Phishing

There are several additional recommendations that will help you avoid phishing.

• Do not click on links immediately. If you receive an email from a company you have dealings with, do not rush to click on the links in the email. Instead, open a browser and enter the website address manually. This will help avoid going to fake sites.
• Check system updates. Keep your operating system and applications up to date. Updates often include important security fixes that protect against new massive attacks.
• Ensure the information's authenticity. If you receive a message about suspicious activity on your account, before taking any action, contact the company's support service directly or visit its official website.

Email fraud, including phishing, remains a serious threat to users worldwide. However, armed with the right information and skills, you can significantly reduce the risk of becoming a victim of scammers. Pay attention to the signs of phishing messages, use proven protection methods, and stay vigilant. Protecting your personal data starts with you. The real skill in recognizing threats — is the first step to safety.