Online phishing scams and what to look out for

Internet scams are everywhere. Modern cyberattacks are often presented in the form of elaborate phishing emails and fake web pages. These are carefully crafted to trick you into clicking harmful links by posing as contacts that you trust. From organisations and coworkers, to even friends and family members.

While wading through the phish can be tricky, there are some simple tips you can implement to greatly reduce your chances of being duped. And there are also some fantastic, comprehensive tools available to you to help you either avoid these scams, or help solve the problem should the worst occur. Keeping an eye out for these internet scams is crucial to protect your personal information, finances, and overall online security. To help you navigate the wild west that is the modern internet, we’ve put together the following tips to keep you safe while browsing the web:

Tips for identifying phishing scams

Be sceptical: Be cautious of emails, messages, or social media requests from unknown or unexpected sources. Scammers often impersonate legitimate organisations or individuals to gain your trust.

Check the sender's email address: Look closely at the sender's email address. Scammers may use email addresses that resemble legitimate ones but have slight variations or misspellings. A logo is easy to replicate but a legitimate address or URL is not.

Look for poor grammar and spelling: Many scams originate from non-English-speaking countries, leading to poorly written messages with grammar and spelling mistakes.

Watch out for “URGENT!!!” messages: Scammers often use urgency or threats to pressure you into taking immediate action, such as claiming your account will be closed or that you'll face legal consequences.

Look for HTTPS in the URL: If you find yourself on a suspicious web page, ensure the website has a secure connection by checking for "https://" at the beginning of the URL. However, some phishing sites may use HTTPS, so be cautious.

Check for a padlock icon: A legitimate website often displays a padlock icon in the browser's address bar to indicate a secure connection. While this can be faked, its absence is a red flag.

Slow down: If you’re paying attention (which can be hard when checking your emails before your morning coffee), there are always subtle signs you can look for to root out phishing attempts. Don’t frantically click through all of your inbox, slow yourself down, and most importantly: trust your instincts. If something seems suspicious, it's better to err on the side of caution.

How to protect yourself from phishing scams

Avoid clicking on links: Hover your mouse over links in emails or messages to see where they lead before clicking on them. Don't click on links in emails that ask for personal information or financial details.

Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Whenever possible, enable 2FA on your online accounts. This adds an extra layer of security by requiring a second form of verification. Usually this entails a code sent to your mobile device. Both Google and Microsoft have popular authenticator apps that many services utilise.

Regularly update software: Keep your operating system, antivirus software, web browsers, and other applications up to date as much as possible. These services are frequently updated to help protect their users against known vulnerabilities. Cyber security is a never ending arms race, and you don’t want to be left behind.

Install Antivirus and Anti-Malware Software: One of the simplest solutions you can leverage is a reputable antivirus software. While this will cost you a little bit of money, it is more than worth it for the protection they provide, especially if your devices are used by multiple people. A good option to consider is PCMag Editors Choice: Bitdefender Premium Security if you’re looking for an all-in-one solution. Bitdefender is a multi-platform solution that you can install on all your devices, and not only provides best-in-class antivirus and threat detection, but also a host of other features such as an unlimited VPN, and tools to help you manage your digital footprint.

Use a digital identity protection tool: As phishing attacks become more common, antivirus providers are building systems to combat them. Security Suites such as Bitdefender include a Digital Identity Protection feature, which monitors both the public internet and dark web for any mention of your personal information, notifies you in real time, and provides a simple pathway to instantly resolve incidents and data breaches.

Use strong passwords: For many people, thinking of unique passwords can be a struggle, and the trap that you can fall into is sharing one password across multiple services. This is a massive security risk, and can lead to a domino situation where bad actors can access many of your accounts and services after cracking just one. Create strong, unique passwords for your online accounts, and consider using a password manager to store and generate passwords. These often come packaged within security suites such as Bitdefender Premium Security.

Report suspected phishing: If you can identify a phishing email or web page, or even if you suspect one, pay it forward. Many organisations or mail hosting services rely on their users to report scammers in order to stay ahead of the game. Being a prolific dead-end for would-be scammers is also a great way to get them to leave you alone!

Educate yourself: Stay informed about common online scams and tactics used by scammers. Knowledge is your best defence. Scammers are constantly evolving their tactics, so staying vigilant and up-to-date on modern scamming and phishing methods is incredibly helpful. Check out recent blogs by antivirus experts to stay ahead of any potential threats.

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Phishing and identity theft are no joke, and unfortunately only becoming more and more common. These tips above can help you identify and avoid these scams, but we’re only human, and mistakes will be made. Having a helping hand can take away a lot of the stress of dealing with the barrage of bad actors online, and that's why we recommend a reputable antivirus suite. If you’d like to try one for yourself with minimal risk, Bitdefender offers a 30-day free trial that you can find out more about here.