Some phishing attacks are pretty easy to identify; others can be more sophisticated and quite convincing. If you suspect an email to be a phishing attempt, which of the following actions is/are safe to consider? Select all the options that apply.
Examine the email to look for some of the typical signs of phishing attacks, like a generic greeting, poor language and unusual requests.
If an email seems suspicious, it is best to contact the supposed sender (e.g. bank) through a trusted channel, instead of replying to the message in question.
Forward the email to as many people as possible to get their opinion on whether it's a phishing attempt or not.
Click on any links or attachments in the email to help determine whether the message was sent from a legitimate source.
Examine the email to look for some of the typical signs of phishing attacks, like a generic greeting, poor language and unusual requests.
If an email seems suspicious, it is best to contact the supposed sender (e.g. bank) through a trusted channel, instead of replying to the message in question.
The actions that are safe to consider if you suspect an email to be a phishing attempt are:
- Examine the email to look for some of the typical signs of phishing attacks, like a generic greeting, poor language, and unusual requests.
- If an email seems suspicious, it is best to contact the supposed sender (e.g., bank) through a trusted channel, instead of replying to the message in question.
The safe actions to consider if you suspect an email to be a phishing attempt are:
1. Examine the email for typical signs of phishing attacks: Look for generic greetings, poor language, unusual requests, or misspellings. These can be indications that the email is not legitimate and is attempting to deceive you.
2. Contact the supposed sender through a trusted channel: If you receive an email that seems suspicious, it is best to independently contact the supposed sender through a trusted method. For example, if the email appears to be from your bank, do not reply to the email but instead call the bank directly using a known phone number or visit their official website to confirm the communication.
3. Do not forward the email to others for verification: The act of forwarding the suspicious email to others can potentially put them at risk if it is indeed a phishing attempt. Instead, it is recommended not to share the email and handle it cautiously on your own.
4. Do not click on any links or attachments: Clicking on links or opening attachments in a suspicious email can lead to unintended consequences, such as malware installation or being directed to a fake website designed to steal your personal information. It is best to avoid interacting with any potentially harmful elements within the email.
To summarize, the safe options to consider when suspecting an email to be a phishing attempt are examining the email for signs of phishing, contacting the supposed sender through a trusted channel, and refraining from clicking on links or attachments within the email.