How can I avoid phishing attacks?
Phishing messages are becoming more targeted, sophisticatedand even harder to recognize.
Look for signs of phishing
These includeemails with suspicious links or attachments,plus:
Instant messages or phone calls with an urgent tone– They ask you to reveal your account password or other confidential information and hope you won't stop to think about it.
An unofficial or unusual "From" address– This is a sender's email address that is similar to, but not the same as, an official company email address.
A message marked with "Urgent action required"– Phishing often includes urgent "calls to action" to try to get you to react immediately.
A generic greeting– Fraudsters who send thousands of phishing emails at one time may have your email address but they will seldom have your name.
A link to a fake website– This is designed to trick you into disclosing your username and password. Phishing emails usually include a link to a fraudulent website that is formattedto look similar to the sign-in page of a legitimate website.
Actionsto minimize your vulnerability to phishing
- If you receive a phishing email, click on thePhish AlarmButton to report it.
- Report successful phishing.If you click on a phishing link or receive a phone call and then provide your username and password, immediatelychange your password andcall the IT Service Desk at 415-514-4100 to report that your account has been compromised. (If needed, the Service Desk can help you change your password.)
- Protect your computer with a firewall and anti-virus software.Always ensure that your anti-virus software is active and up to date. UCSF provides Symantec Endpoint Protection (which includes firewall and anti-virus software) for free athttps://software.ucsf.edu.
- Do not click on links in emails, and never go to websites by clicking linksin emails.This is because such a link may direct you to a fraudulent website. Instead, if you frequently visit the website the phisher is mimicking, always type the correct URL directly into your browser, or use a bookmark to access it.
- Communicate personal information only via phone or secure websites. However, do not divulge any personal information over the phone unless you initiated the call.
- Periodically check your account details.It’s good practice to review your bank, credit or other important accounts periodically. Do this to check for any irregularities in online transactions and any recent loginsor changes to your contact information.
FAQs
Do not click on links in emails, and never go to websites by clicking links in emails. This is because such a link may direct you to a fraudulent website. Instead, if you frequently visit the website the phisher is mimicking, always type the correct URL directly into your browser, or use a bookmark to access it.
Which best describe how to avoid getting phished? ›
Never provide personal financial information, including your Social Security number, account numbers or passwords, over the phone or the Internet if you did not initiate the contact. Never click on the link provided in an email you believe is fraudulent. It may contain a virus that can contaminate your computer.
How do I stop receiving phishing? ›
11 Ways To Stop Spam Emails From Taking Over Your Inbox
- Block spam email addresses.
- Use an email alias for new accounts.
- Report suspicious emails as spam.
- Remove email addresses from data broker lists.
- Spot the signs of a phishing email.
- Unsubscribe from unwanted mailing lists.
- Turn off “auto-load” for images.
The best defense is awareness and knowing what to look for. Here are some ways to recognize a phishing email: Urgent call to action or threats - Be suspicious of emails and Teams messages that claim you must click, call, or open an attachment immediately.
What is the tool to prevent phishing? ›
TLDR – Top 15 Anti-Phishing tools and Software
| # | Tool |
|---|
| 2 | Trustifi |
| 3 | Abnormal Security |
| 4 | Agari |
| 5 | Avanan |
11 more rowsMar 14, 2024
Email phishing is the most popular type of phishing. Attackers send emails that appear to come from reputable sources, such as banks, social media platforms, or online services. These emails often contain a sense of urgency, prompting the recipient to click on a malicious link or download an attachment.
Which email is most likely phishing? ›
Requests for personal information: Legitimate companies won't ask for sensitive information like passwords or Social Security numbers through email. If an email tells you to verify your account by clicking a link and entering your login details, it's likely a phishing attempt.
What is the most likely way to be phished? ›
Common Phishing Attacks
- Email Phishing. Most phishing attacks use email. ...
- Spear Phishing. Spear phishing is when a cybercriminal sends a harmful email to a specific person that includes personal information to better trick them. ...
- Smishing & Vishing. In smishing, scammers send text messages. ...
- Angler Phishing.
Avoid sharing sensitive data like passwords, credit card details, or social security numbers through email. 4. Don't trust urgent or threatening messages: Phishing emails often use urgent or threatening language to manipulate victims. Be sceptical of such messages and verify their legitimacy through other means.
What is phishing trick? ›
What is a phishing attack. Phishing is a type of social engineering attack often used to steal user data, including login credentials and credit card numbers. It occurs when an attacker, masquerading as a trusted entity, dupes a victim into opening an email, instant message, or text message.
Anti-spyware and firewall settings should be used to prevent phishing attacks and users should update the programs regularly. Firewall protection prevents access to malicious files by blocking the attacks. Antivirus software scans every file which comes through the Internet to your computer.
How do people fall victim to phishing? ›
Email: Many people become phishing victims through malicious emails. These usually appear legitimate, purporting to come from websites that the user has an account with, but are in fact, sent by the hacker to capture personal data.
Which of the following is a good way to protect from a phishing attempt? ›
Four Ways To Protect Yourself From Phishing
- Protect your computer by using security software. ...
- Protect your cell phone by setting software to update automatically. ...
- Protect your accounts by using multi-factor authentication. ...
- Protect your data by backing it up.
How does phishing work? Phishing is a type of social engineering and cybersecurity attack where the attacker impersonates someone else via email or other electronic communication methods, including social networks and Short Message Service (SMS) text messages, to reveal sensitive information.
What is one way to prevent phishing brainly? ›
Answer. Final answer: To prevent phishing, it's imperative to verify emails or messages before clicking on links and to mark suspicious emails as spam.
What is one way phishing can happen? ›
Attackers 'spoof' trusted emails, making their emails look like they were sent by reputable organisations (such as yours). These spoofed emails can be used to attack your customers, or people within your organisation.
