"Phishing" is a scam by which an Internet user is tricked into revealing personal or confidential information through fraudulent emails, and studies suggest these attempts have risen more than 600% since the the end of February. One of our WBEs, First Equipment Company shares some tips below on how to spot illegitimate e-mails and protect your information.
It’s the perfect time for hackers to send e-mails with dangerous malware and viruses. Right now, your in-box is probably filled with “COVID-19” subject lines and coronavirus-focused e-mails. Hackers are even using a *fake* cdc-gov e-mail address and spamming in-boxes.
How can you tell a phishing e-mail from a legitimate one? Here are a few telltale signs:
- Look closely at the e-mail address to make sure it’s spelled correctly.
- Hover over any links in the e-mail (but DON’T CLICK) to see the ACTUAL website you’ll be directed to. If there’s a mismatched or suspicious URL, delete the e-mail immediately.
- Watch for poor grammar and spelling errors.
Never download an attachment unless you know who sent it and what it is. When in doubt, call the person who supposedly sent the e-mail on the phone to verify that it’s legitimate.
Visit www.firstequipment.com/tip for additional tips on cyber security.
