Protecting Yourself from Falling Victim to a Phishing Attack

Protecting Yourself from Falling Victim to a Phishing Attack

Phishing attacks are designed to trick you into clicking a malicious link, opening a harmful attachment, or sharing sensitive information. These messages are often crafted to look legitimate and may appear to come from someone you trust.

Recognizing Common Phishing Techniques

Phishing messages frequently create a sense of urgency or curiosity to pressure you into acting quickly.

• Emails that claim your account will be locked or suspended
• Messages saying you won a prize, refund, or job opportunity
• Requests for login verification, payment, or personal information
• Unexpected attachments or links

Never Click Suspicious Links

Attackers can spoof websites to make them look like legitimate services such as your bank, school, or email provider.

• If a message seems suspicious, do not click the link
• Manually type the organization’s website address into your browser instead
• Watch for copycat URLs (for example, my.gmail.com instead of gmail.com)

Never Share Personal Information

Legitimate organizations will never ask for sensitive information through unsolicited email, text, or phone calls.

• Be cautious of unexpected requests, even if they appear to come from someone you know
• Attackers can spoof email addresses and phone numbers
• Do not share passwords, verification codes, or payment information
• If unsure, verify the request using a trusted phone number or website

If It Seems Too Good to Be True, It Probably Is

• Messages claiming prizes, refunds, or special offers are often scams
• Unexpected job offers or urgent payment requests should be treated with caution

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