Recognizing and Reporting Phishing Emails

Recognizing and Reporting Phishing Emails

Phishing emails are one of the most common tactics cybercriminals use to steal sensitive information. This guide will help you recognize phishing attempts, avoid falling victim, and report suspicious emails effectively.

🕵️ What is Phishing?

Phishing is a type of cyber attack where attackers impersonate legitimate organizations to trick you into revealing sensitive information, such as passwords, credit card numbers, or personal details.

📧 How to Recognize a Phishing Email

Look out for these common signs:

  1. Suspicious Sender Address:

  2. Urgent or Threatening Language:

    • Phrases like "Immediate action required" or "Your account will be suspended."

  3. Unexpected Attachments or Links:

    • Avoid clicking on links or downloading attachments from unknown senders.

  4. Generic Greetings:

    • Emails starting with "Dear Customer" instead of your name.

  5. Spelling and Grammar Errors:

    • Look for poor grammar, misspellings, or awkward phrasing.

  6. Requests for Personal Information:

    • Legitimate companies rarely ask for sensitive information via email.

đź”— How to Safely Handle Suspicious Emails

  • Do Not Click Links or Download Attachments: Hover over links to see the actual URL.
  • Verify the Sender: Contact the company directly using official contact details.
  • Do Not Reply: Avoid engaging with the sender.
  • Mark as Spam: Use your email client’s spam reporting feature.

🚨 How to Report a Phishing Email

  1. Report to Your IT Department:

  2. Mark as Phishing in Your Email Client:

    • Gmail: Click Report Phishing.
    • Outlook: Select Report Phishing from the email options.

  3. Report to Authorities:

âś… Best Practices to Avoid Phishing Attacks

  • Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) on all accounts.
  • Regularly update your software and antivirus.
  • Be cautious when sharing personal information online.
  • Train yourself and your team to recognize phishing attempts.

Phishing attacks can happen to anyone, but awareness and caution can prevent most incidents. If you suspect you’ve received a phishing email or need assistance, don’t hesitate to contact Seidr Technology Support—we’re here to help!


    • Related Articles

    • Email and Collaboration Tools Setup (Gmail & Outlook)

      Efficient communication is key to staying productive, and setting up your email and collaboration tools correctly ensures you don’t miss important updates. This guide will walk you through setting up Gmail and Outlook for work purposes. ? Setting Up ...

    • Password Management Best Practices

      Strong password management is one of the most effective ways to protect your accounts and sensitive data from unauthorized access. This guide outlines essential practices for creating, managing, and securing your passwords. ? 1. Create Strong ...