In this lesson, we will discuss the signs of phishing emails, how to identify them, and how to protect against them.

Common Characteristics of Phishing Emails

• Urgent or threatening language
• Suspicious links or attachments
• Poor grammar or spelling errors
• Request for personal information
• Sense of urgency or time pressure

Visual Cues of a Phishing Email

• Company logos and branding
• Email sender’s address
• Message format and layout
• Generic greetings
• Unusual or unfamiliar sender

The best way to practice recognizing phishing emails is to look at examples and analyze their characteristics.

It is important to remember to always be wary of emails that contain urgent, threatening language or requests for personal information; emails with poor grammar or spelling; or emails sent from unfamiliar or suspicious-looking email addresses.

Being able to recognize and quickly identify phishing emails will help protect against potential attacks and help keep your data secure.

Image Credit
University of California, Merced – Information Technology