Phishing attacks are on the rise, and they’re becoming more sophisticated. Here are some tips to protect yourself from becoming a victim.
Be suspicious of unsolicited emails, even if they appear to be from a trusted source. If you’re not expecting an email from someone, be wary of clicking on any links or attachments.
Don’t enter your login credentials on a website unless you’re sure it’s the legitimate website. Some phishing websites are designed to look like the real thing, but with a slightly different URL.
Check for security certificates when entering sensitive information on a website. A valid certificate should be issued by a reputable organization, and the website’s URL should start with “https://”
Keep your software and operating system up to date. Security patches are often released to fix vulnerabilities that could be exploited by phishers.
Use a phishing protection tool, such as Microsoft’s SmartScreen filter, which is built into Windows 8 and 10.
By following these tips, you can help protect yourself from becoming a victim of phishing attacks.
Phishing is a type of online identity theft that occurs when someone poses as a reputable company or individual in order to trick you into giving them personal information, such as your credit card number, social security number, or login credentials. Phishing attacks can come in the form of emails, text messages, or pop-up ads.
Here are some tips to protect yourself from phishing attacks:
-Be suspicious of unsolicited emails, even if they appear to be from a trusted source. If you weren’t expecting an email from a particular sender, don’t open it.
-Don’t click on links or open attachments in emails unless you’re sure they’re safe. Hover over a link to see where it will take you before you click on it.
-If you’re unsure whether an email is legitimate, contact the company or individual directly to confirm. Do not use the contact information in the email; instead, find the company’s or individual’s contact information on their website or in a phone book.
-Be cautious of giving out personal information, even if the request appears to be from a trusted source. Legitimate companies will not ask for your personal information via email.
-If you believe you’ve been the victim of a phishing attack, report it to the Federal Trade Commission and your local police department.
