How to Avoid Phishing scam?
It’s not safe or recommended to ignore phishing scams. Instead, it’s essential to identify them and take appropriate steps to protect yourself. Phishing scams are designed to trick you into giving away sensitive information, such as passwords, credit card details, or personal data. To prevent falling prey to phishing scams, it’s recommended that you:
Education and Awareness:
Stay informed about standard phishing methods and strategies scammers employ. Stay knowledgeable about the latest phishing techniques and exercise caution while opening emails, clicking on links, or sharing personal information.
Check the Source:
Verify the sender’s email address and domain to ensure it is legitimate. It’s essential to be careful with emails from unfamiliar or questionable sources, particularly if they claim to be from a familiar company or service. Always check the source before clicking on any link or post.
Don’t Click on Suspicious Links:
Hover over emails or message hyperlinks to view the URL. Only click on the link if it appears familiar or redirects you to a different website.
Avoid Sharing Sensitive Information:
It is important to note that reliable organizations will never request sensitive information to be shared through email. Avoid providing personal information, login credentials, or financial details through email or unknown websites.
Two-Factor Authentication (2FA):
Whenever possible, enable two-factor authentication. Adding security layers makes it harder for unauthorized access.
Install Security Software:
Protect your devices from phishing threats using reputable antivirus and anti-malware software.
Be Cautious with Pop-Ups:
Refrain from clicking on pop-ups, especially those requesting personal information or login credentials.
Report Suspicious Emails:
If you receive an email that seems suspicious and claims to be from a reputable organization, it’s best to report it directly to the organization. A lot of companies have specific email addresses or web pages that are designated for reporting phishing attempts.