🚨 Phishing Protection
Learn how to identify and avoid phishing attacks. Protect yourself from fraudulent emails, websites, and social engineering tactics.
What is Phishing?
Phishing is a cyber attack that uses fraudulent communications to trick people into revealing sensitive information like passwords, credit card numbers, or personal data. Attackers often impersonate legitimate companies, banks, or government agencies.
🎣 Common Phishing Targets:
- Login credentials (usernames and passwords)
- Credit card and banking information
- Social Security numbers
- Personal identification details
- Company information and trade secrets
- Two-factor authentication codes
Types of Phishing Attacks
📧 Email Phishing
How it works: Fraudulent emails that appear to be from legitimate sources
Example: Fake bank emails asking you to "verify" your account
🎯 Spear Phishing
How it works: Targeted attacks using personal information
Example: Emails using your name, company, or recent activities
🏢 Whaling
How it works: Attacks targeting high-profile individuals
Example: CEOs, executives, or government officials
📱 SMS Phishing (Smishing)
How it works: Fraudulent text messages with malicious links
Example: "Your package delivery failed, click here to reschedule"
📞 Voice Phishing (Vishing)
How it works: Phone calls pretending to be from legitimate organizations
Example: "This is your bank, we need to verify your account"
🌐 Website Phishing
How it works: Fake websites that mimic legitimate ones
Example: Fake login pages for banks, social media, or shopping sites
How to Identify Phishing Attempts
🔍 Red Flags to Watch For:
- Urgent language: "Act now" or "Your account will be closed"
- Suspicious sender: Email addresses that don't match the company
- Poor grammar: Spelling mistakes and awkward phrasing
- Generic greetings: "Dear Customer" instead of your name
- Suspicious links: URLs that don't match the claimed sender
- Requests for sensitive info: Passwords, SSN, or payment details
- Unusual attachments: Unexpected files or downloads
Email Phishing Detection
📧 Email Security Checklist:
- Check the sender's email address carefully
- Hover over links to see the actual destination
- Look for HTTPS and verified security certificates
- Verify the company logo and branding
- Check for personal information that should be correct
- Be suspicious of unexpected attachments
- Contact the company directly to verify requests
Website Phishing Detection
🌐 Website Security Tips:
- Always check the URL in the address bar
- Look for the lock icon (HTTPS) in your browser
- Verify the domain name matches the legitimate site
- Be cautious of slightly misspelled URLs
- Check for poor design or broken functionality
- Look for security certificates and trust badges
- Use bookmarks for important websites
Protecting Yourself from Phishing
🛡️ Protection Strategies:
- Never click suspicious links: Type URLs directly into your browser
- Use two-factor authentication: Adds extra security layer
- Keep software updated: Install security patches promptly
- Use strong passwords: Unique passwords for each account
- Enable email filters: Block known phishing domains
- Verify requests: Contact companies directly to confirm
- Stay informed: Learn about new phishing techniques
What to Do If You're Phished
🚨 Immediate Response Steps:
- Change passwords immediately for affected accounts
- Enable two-factor authentication if not already active
- Contact your bank if financial information was compromised
- Run antivirus scans on all your devices
- Monitor accounts for unauthorized activity
- Report the incident to the appropriate authorities
- Consider credit monitoring for identity theft protection
Reporting Phishing Attempts
📞 Where to Report:
- FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3): ic3.gov
- Federal Trade Commission: reportfraud.ftc.gov
- Anti-Phishing Working Group: reportphishing@apwg.org
- Your email provider: Most have phishing report options
- The impersonated company: Forward phishing emails to them