🔟 Phishing Tips:
- Suspicious Offers
Be wary of emails offering free money or alarming threats (e.g., frozen accounts). These emotional triggers are classic phishing tactics. - Free Money Red Flag
Phishing often exploits greed—if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. - Generic Greetings
Emails that don’t address you personally (e.g., “Dear customer”) are likely mass phishing attempts. - Urgency Traps
Don’t act on emails that pressure you to respond immediately—urgency is a common manipulation tactic. - Requests for Personal Info
Legitimate organizations won’t ask for sensitive information via email. Don’t provide personal or business data. - Bad Grammar, Bad Sign
Poor spelling and awkward grammar are red flags that an email may be a phishing attempt. - Suspicious File Attachments
Avoid opening uncommon file types (e.g.,.exe,.js,.vbs)—they often carry malware. - Mismatch in Sender Info
Always compare the sender’s name to the actual email address to spot spoofing attempts. - Check Before Clicking Links
Hover over links to see the actual URL before clicking—phishers often disguise malicious sites. - Email Header Clues
Review email headers if you’re suspicious; a sketchy history is a clear sign to delete the email.
Feedback
This tip sheet provides clear, actionable guidance and covers the essentials of phishing detection well. The advice is practical for both technical and non-technical users, with an emphasis on behavior-based awareness. One potential improvement would be to include a couple of visual examples or mock phishing emails for context. Overall, it’s a solid tool for raising awareness and promoting a culture of cautious clicking.
InfoSec services | InfoSec books | Follow our blog | DISC llc is listed on The vCISO Directory | ISO 27k Chat bot | Comprehensive vCISO Services | ISMS Services | Security Risk Assessment Services
