“Cyber Guy”: Don't take the bait
Kurt Knutsson gives advice on how to identify secure email links and tips for protecting your email accounts from phishing attacks.
Imagine this nightmare scenario. You will receive an email from your health insurance provider (for example, Blue Shield) asking you to update your personal information by clicking on a link. I'm sure this is the usual request, so click on the link and enter your name, date of birth, and social security number. Next thing you know, your personal information is stolen and your credit score is ruined.
This is a common phenomenon in phishing attacks, a type of online fraud that targets email accounts. Phishing attack They are designed to trick users into clicking on malicious links, opening infected attachments, or providing personal information to hackers who want to steal money, identity, and data. Masu. That was definitely a concern for Don from Michigan, who wrote to us with questions like:
“It says not to tap/select links in emails, but how do I know if a link in an email is ok to select (like Blue Cross Blue Shield??)” — Don, michigan
Dan, that's a great question. We would like to answer that and share some tips on how to protect yourself from these attacks.
person typing on laptop (Kurt “Cyber Guy” Knutson)
How do I know if an email link is safe to select?
Here are three simple and effective ways to check if an email link is safe to choose. These tips will help you avoid clicking on links that could lead to phishing websites or malware downloads.
1) Inspect the link
One of the best ways to ensure that a link is safe to choose is to inspect it before clicking on it. To do this, carefully hover your mouse over the link and note the web address that appears. If a web address looks suspicious, misspelled, or unfamiliar, don't click it.
When in doubt, visit the company's website directly by entering the web address manually or by searching for the site in a search engine. In most cases, the first or second result you see is legitimate. If you see the word “Sponsored” above the search results, wait a moment before clicking on it, and then consider clicking on the result below it.
Example of inspecting links in emails (Kurt “Cyber Guy” Knutson)
2) Check the sender of the email
Another way to ensure that an email link is safe to choose is to check who the email is from. Make sure the email is from a legitimate source and not a spoofed or fake email. Scammers often use slight variations or impersonate legitimate sources. You can verify this by looking at the sender's email address and name. If the email address or name does not match the sender's identity, do not trust the email.
If you are still unsure about the authenticity of an email or link, you can contact the sender directly and ask for confirmation. Don't use the contact information provided in emails; look for them on official websites or other reliable sources. Under no circumstances should you click on any links or provide any personal information.
Example of how to check who the email is from (Kurt “Cyber Guy” Knutson)
Read more: How to protect your iPhone from cyberattacks with lockdown mode
3) Before clicking on a link or email attachment, ask yourself three questions.
Please pause before clicking. Before you click a link or open an attachment, take the time to evaluate and ask yourself these three questions:
- Do you know the sender?
- Can you trust them?
- Was I expecting them to send me a link or attachment?
If the answer to any of these questions is no, do not click the link or open the attachment. Although these links and attachments may seem harmless, they may actually contain harmful malware that can damage your device or steal your data. When it comes to email attachments, it's better to be safe than sorry.
A person typing on a smartphone (Kurt “Cyber Guy” Knutson)
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How to protect your email account from phishing attacks
Here are six tips to protect your email account from phishing attacks.
CyberGuy Tip #1: Use antivirus software: This is probably one of the best investments you can make to protect yourself from phishing scams. Having antivirus software actively running on your device ensures that it stops you from clicking on malicious links or downloading files that could introduce malware to your device and steal your personal information. Read my review of the best antivirus products here.
2) Enable two-factor authentication (2FA). Please enable it whenever possible 2FA For online accounts. This provides an extra layer of security by requiring a second form of authentication, such as a unique code sent to your mobile phone, in addition to your password.
3) Keep your software up to date. regularly update Make sure your operating system, web browser, and antivirus software are equipped to detect and prevent the latest threats. For software updates, you can regularly check for these updates in your device's Settings app. You can also check for updates to individual apps by visiting the App Store or Google Play Store (depending on your device). Follow these steps here.
4) Please be careful when handling personal information. Be careful when sharing sensitive information online, especially if it is unsolicited or questionable. Legitimate organizations rarely ask for personal information via email.
5) Report a suspicious email: If you receive a suspicious email that claims to be from a specific organization, report it to that organization's official support or security team for appropriate action.
6) Educate yourself and others. Stay up to date on the latest phishing tactics and share that knowledge with your friends, family, and colleagues. Awareness is a powerful tool to prevent fraud.
Read more: Facebook account hits malicious ad attack with dangerous malware
What should you do if you clicked a link and installed malware on your device?
If you've been hacked, it's not too late. Even if a hacker gains access to your information, there are several ways to protect yourself from them.
Scan your device for malware
First, scan your computer using a reliable and genuine antivirus program. Read my expert reviews on the best antivirus protection for you. Windows, Mac, Android, iOS devices.
Please change your password immediately
If you inadvertently provide information to hackers or other malicious actors, they can gain access to your social media and bank accounts. To prevent this from happening, you should change the passwords for all important accounts as soon as possible. However, do not do this on an infected device as hackers may view your new password.Instead, you should use another deviceChange passwords on your laptop, desktop, etc. Use strong, unique passwords that are difficult to guess or destroy.You can also use password manager Generate passwords and store them securely.
Monitor your account and transactions
You should regularly check your online accounts and transactions for suspicious or fraudulent activity. If you notice anything unusual, please report it to your service provider or authorities as soon as possible. You should also check your credit report and score for the following signs: identity theft Or fraud.
Use identity theft protection
Phishing emails target your personal information. Hackers can use this information to create fake accounts in your name, access existing accounts, and impersonate you online. This can cause serious damage to your identity and credit score.
To avoid this, you should use an identity theft protection service. These services track personal information, such as household title, social security number, phone number, and email address, and notify you if they detect suspicious activity. It can also help freeze bank and credit card accounts to prevent them from being used by hackers. Read more of my reviews on the best identity theft protection services here.
Please contact your bank or credit card company
If a hacker obtains your banking or credit card information, they can use it to make purchases or withdrawals without your consent. You should contact your bank or credit card company and let them know the situation. We can help you freeze or cancel your card, dispute fraudulent charges, or issue a new card.
Alert a contact
If a hacker gains access to your email or social media accounts, they could use them to send spam or phishing messages to your contacts. They may also pretend to be you and request money or personal information. You should alert your contacts and warn them not to open or reply to messages from you that seem suspicious or unusual.
Restore your device to factory settings
If you want to make sure your device is completely free of malware and spyware, you can restore your device to factory settings. This will erase all data and settings and reinstall the original version.you should Back up Restore important data before doing this and only restore from trusted sources.
Read more: How hackers target X-authenticated accounts to trick you
Cart important points
Recovering you and your family from these increasing risks should be your top priority. Protecting yourself from phishing attacks is very important. Falling victim to such scams can result in identity theft, financial loss, and data breaches. Don't let yourself become a target. By following the steps outlined above and remaining vigilant, you can significantly reduce your risk of falling prey to a phishing attack. Online security is in your hands. Make informed choices to protect your personal information and data.
Have you ever encountered a suspicious email or phishing attack? How did you deal with it and what did you learn from the experience? Email us. Cyberguy.com/Contact.
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