It is not easy to reveal phishing, without opening the e-mail message. Every time a message arrives, the recipient receives an impulse to read it. Phishing is all right about it, to get the receiver to bite the bait and open the attached file or click the link with malicious code. Here are three useful tips to remember so you do not get scammed and exposed to viruses and Trojans via email.
1. Check the sender, subject line and any attachments
Beware of any unknown names. All e-mails purportedly sent from a financial institution is usually fake. No bank sends emails to their customers nowadays. Keep in mind when you read the subject line of the message. Subject lines that is about to attract the curiosity should be handled with caution. Is there any attachments? It is best to avoid opening attachments. Always ask yourself first why you should open them. Are you expecting an e-mail with an attachment? Why is there even added an attachment? Be suspicious of any packed zip files as well as files with the file formats for applications such as Word, Excel, Powerpoint and Adobe Reader (.doc, .docx, .xls, .xlsx, .ppt, .pptx, .pdf). All messages from unknown senders with unclear messages are usually scams.
2. View the message content
Checking the sender, subject and attachments should have sorted out most phishing attempts. But suppose that everything seems okay so far, there are still good reasons to the contrary. Scores of hackers out there that hijack one’s friends ‘friends’ accounts. It’s usually okay to read an e-mail message as plain text, if you do not click on any links. Phrases like “Dear business associate …” are clear warning flags, which also applies to emails from completely strangers in unknown cases that appeals to one with first name. Also be careful with content that promotes any kind of document, for example, demand for more information, warnings or other. Often used tricks to deceive the recipient to act, for example, by formulas that evoke emotions or by referring to a person with influence or power.
3. Examine the e-mail header head
Heading head of an e-mail message contains useful information that can be used to confirm suspicions of a sender is out fraudulent purposes. There is information about the sender and recipient information as: IP addresses, operator information and which company is designated as the sender. It also indicates whether the message has gone through some anti-spam services, and given the green light.
Increase security with a good antivirus protection
Best protection against phishing is a combination of common sense, education as well as good antispam protection. On this website we use AVG. Just because it is a powerful protection against sophisticated threats, but also because it is a flexible program that runs by itself without being in the way in your computer. Learn more about AVG on avgantivirus.se and yes, it is we who are the largest reseller for AVG in Sweden.
Comments are closed.