--- title: "How Can You Detect A Phishing Scam And Be Safe Online By Using Emails In Secure Way | Phish Protection" description: "How Can You Detect A Phishing Scam And Be Safe Online By Using Emails In Secure Way: How Can You Detect A Phishing Scam And 10 ways to avoid phishing scams A." image: "https://phishprotection.com/images/og-default.png" canonical: "https://phishprotection.com/10-ways-to-avoid-phishing-scams/" --- Comparison # How Can You Detect A Phishing Scam And Be Safe Online By Using Emails In Secure Way Independent analysis - see how solutions compare on features, pricing, and protection. [ Start 60-Day Free Trial → ](https://portal.duocircle.com/cart.php?a=add&pid=101&brand=phishprotection) [ View Pricing ](/pricing/) 5 Detection Engines · Time-of-Click Protection · 99.99% Uptime SLA · 60-Day Free Trial ## **How Can You Detect A Phishing Scam And 10 ways to avoid phishing scams** _A phishing attack is a type of social engineering attack in which cyber-criminals try to trick individuals by crafting and sending maliciously crafted emails_. Phishing emails look like legitimate messages coming from an authentic sender or source. The primary aim of **phishing attacks** is to get confidential or sensitive information and account credentials of their targets so that they could use the stolen data for nefarious purposes and unlawful gains. As a result, these phishing emails might ask you to reveal your account data, credit card details, or other information like user credentials. Most of the time, by creating a sense of urgency, the attackers try to entice the target users into opening an attachment or clicking a URL in the email, which, _once clicked, can infect their systems with malware or virus_. Phishing poses a significant threat to businesses everywhere, and you are in as much risk as any other individual or organization. Thus, _you should know **how to spot** the phishing emails to avoid falling into the traps_. ### **Sender’s Name And Other Details** _Phishers usually impersonate a well-known brand or person_. Since they cannot use the same credentials in most cases, they create email addresses similar, but with small variations, to those of the brands they are imitating. Whenever you receive any uninitiated email, **be at full-alert**. You can find information about most organizations, including their contact details, online. Verify that the sender’s name and other information are correct. If you cannot find such information about the senders or their alleged enterprise, that should serve as a red flag. _You can also try calling the organization the email claims to represent and confirm it_. ![How To Avoid Phishing](https://media.mailhop.org/phishprotection/images/2020/02/how-to-avoid-phishing.jpg) #### Unrecognized Links _Many phishing emails are harmless as long as you don’t let them take you where they want you to go_. Phishers typically have bogus websites that will try to collect your confidential data and login credentials to important accounts. The emails will contain links that will take you to these sites. For example, a **phishing email** has a link to a website that can easily pass as that of [your bank](https://www.aba.com/advocacy/community-programs/consumer-resources/protect-your-money/phishing) or some other reputed organization. If you visit these websites, you will find that they look and feel the same as the original websites, even the login page is the same. But whatever you enter on the forms, your login ID and passwords, etc., only there for the phishers to collect. So, how will you [prevent phishing](/) from happening? The only foolproof way is to **not click on those links** or open the attachment in it. _If you want to confirm something that the email claims, do so by visiting the official websites by typing the URL in your browser or by sending inquiry to the official email address_. Never follow up on things by following the links given in emails. #### Poor Grammar Or Common Spelling Mistakes It does not happen so often nowadays with phishing emails, but still, if you receive an email full of errors like [misspelling or grammar issues](https://josephsteinberg.com/why-scammers-make-spelling-and-grammar-mistakes/), take it as a scam-marker. _Corporate communication departments will never send you emails full of mistakes_. Also, be aware of generic greetings such as ‘Dear Member’ or ‘Dear Customer’ as legit companies always use your name. ![Phishing Grammar Error Sample Phishpr](https://media.mailhop.org/phishprotection/images/2020/02/phishing-grammar-error-sample-phishpr.png) #### Requiring Urgent Action From User’s End A subject line like, ‘Take action now, or your account will be suspended,’ is an [intimidating tactic](https://www.helpnetsecurity.com/2018/09/20/manipulation-tactics-phishing-attacks/) which is becoming more common these days with phishing emails. _These cybercriminals take advantage of your anxiety to secure your personal or financial information_. Call the financial institution or the relevant authorities immediately to **find out the truth** when something doesn’t seem right. If you’re an employee of an organization, immediately report it to your CERT (Computer Emergency Response Team) or the relevant department. ### **The Top 10 Tips To Know About Phishing Scams** For deploying effective countermeasure against phishing, _it’s not enough to only identify the phishing emails_. Take a look at the following tried and tested measures that you can use when dealing with such emails and attempts. #### 1\. Learn About Phishing Techniques _Phishers develop and come up with phishing scams every day_. If you are not updated with the new **phishing technique**, then you have a higher chance of becoming a victim of one. Refresh your awareness very often about new phishing scams. _Updated and up-to-date knowledge will help in avoiding being surprised by a new scam and lowering the risk of falling prey to one_. In case you are an IT administrator, you can use [security awareness training](/content/phishing-awareness-training/security-awareness-training/) and simulated phishing attacks to keep the security of the organization updated. #### 2\. Think Twice Before Following An Unknown Link Clicking on links when you are on a trusted site is not going to be a problem. However, _clicking on links that appear in instant messages and random emails isn’t a smart move_. In case you receive a suspicious link, **hover over the link** to check if it is leading where it should lead. If it is a phishing email, it might claim to have come from a legitimate source, and you are going to be directed to a website that appears like a real one. _When you are in doubt, you should go to the official website directly by entering the URL in the browser yourself instead of clicking on the unknown link_. ![Real Time Link Click Protection](https://media.mailhop.org/phishprotection/images/2020/02/real-time-link-click-protection.jpg) #### 3\. Verify Security of the Site _Online transactions have become pretty standard_. As long as you are on a secure website, it is fine. However, to avoid running into any trouble, you should verify the security of the sites you visit. Check if the URL of the [website starts with https](https://www.https.in/ssl-security/ssl-certificate-prevents-phishing-website/) and has a lock symbol close to the address bar. You should also check for the **security certificate**. Learn to take heed of your system security. When it warns you of a website being unsecured or that it might contain some malicious files, avoid opening them. _Do not download files from any suspicious website or email_. At times, search engines may also display phishing webpages offering low-cost products or offers that sound too good to be true. Be wary when you do transactions or enter your credentials on such sites; they are usually, as we’ve said, too good to be true. ![Website Phishing Security](https://media.mailhop.org/phishprotection/images/2020/02/website-phishing-security.png) #### 4\. Use an Anti-Phishing Toolbar You can use an **anti-phishing toolbar** customized for your requirements with internet browsers. These toolbars will run a quick check on the websites you pay a visit to and compare them to a [list of phishing sites](https://www.phishtank.com/). When the tool detects one, it will notify you. _These tools are available for free and offer more than one layer of protection against these types of scams_. ![Anti Phishing Toolbar](https://media.mailhop.org/phishprotection/images/2020/02/anti-phishing-toolbar.jpg) #### 5\. Check Your Online Accounts Regularly When you’re not checking your online accounts for a long time, it may encourage others to have a merry time with them. Even if you do not have to, _you should check your online accounts from time to time. If there’s anything wrong_, this precaution will enable you to notice it, hopefully, before it’s too late. Also, make sure that you **change your passwords** frequently. _Take a look at your bank statements daily to prevent credit card and bank phishing scams_. Check each entry carefully to make sure there aren’t any fraudulent transactions. #### 6\. Keep the Browser Updated All popular browsers release security updates from time to time. _These are mainly in response to loopholes in the security which are taken advantage of by phishing scammers and hackers_. When you receive a message about [updating your browser](https://www.thesslstore.com/blog/browsers-helping-https-phishing/), you should not ignore it. Instead, download and install the update as soon as you possibly can. ![Browser Update Phishpr](https://media.mailhop.org/phishprotection/images/2020/02/browser-update-phishpr.jpg) #### 7\. Be Careful of Pop-Ups Pop-up windows often pose as the legitimate component of a particular website. However, a majority of these are phishing attempts. Many browsers will give you the option to [block the pop-ups](https://www.affinitytechpartners.com/3n1blog/2018/5/3/scam-alert-what-you-need-to-know-about-pop-up-phishing). You can also typically customize the settings to identify from which websites you want to receive a pop-up. _In case of a pop-up slipping through, avoid clicking on the ‘Cancel’ button within the pop-up window_. There’s no such thing as ethics in the phishing world, and even the ‘Cancel’ button can still lead to the **phishing site**. It is better and safer to click on the ‘X’ button on the upper right corner of the pop-up window. ![Phishing Popup Protection](https://media.mailhop.org/phishprotection/images/2020/02/phishing-popup-protection.jpg) #### 8\. Use Advanced (Next-Gen) Firewalls You can prevent breaches automatically and keep the business moving by using an advanced (next generation) firewall. This can serve as a buffer between you, the computer, and the intruders. _Make sure that you use a network as well as a desktop firewall_. When you use these software and hardware [firewalls together](https://www.itproportal.com/2008/03/26/what-firewall-do-and-what-firewalls-dont-do/), they will reduce the odds of hackers getting into your system or your computer, phishing for your sensitive information. ![Firewall Phishing Protection](https://media.mailhop.org/phishprotection/images/2020/02/firewall-phishing-protection.jpg) #### 9\. Avoid Giving Out Personal Information _A general rule of thumb is not to give out personal and financial information over the internet_. When you have to do so, make sure that your data is going to the right place. If you are in doubt about any such requests, **make it a habit** to visit the official website or call the organization. _Avoid sending emails containing any sensitive information as far as possible_. There may be many times when you have to do so; so, learn about [data encryption](https://us.norton.com/internetsecurity-privacy-what-is-encryption.html), and use it. #### 10\. Use Antivirus Software _Using antivirus software is one of the best ways to go about protecting yourself and your organization from phishing emails and scams_. The software come with special signatures which will guard you against known **technology loopholes** and workarounds. You only need to ensure that you keep the software updated all the time. _Software providers update and add new patches from time to time to keep up with the newly developed scams_. [Antivirus software](https://geekflare.com/advantages-using-antivirus/) is going to scan every file you receive through the internet and thus, keep your system from being damaged or infected with phishing programs. ![Antivirus Phishing Protection Phishpr](https://media.mailhop.org/phishprotection/images/2020/02/antivirus-phishing-protection-phishpr.jpg) ### **Conclusion** Phishing is more common than you know, and _there’s a high chance that phishers are sending you at least a couple of phishing emails every day_. You have to keep your eyes open all the time to spot these. Use all the above-given techniques to stay away from such scams. _Being vigilant will prove to be a strong defense_. ### Enterprise-class email protection without the enterprise price For flexible per-user pricing, PhishProtection’s integrated email security solution protects your employees from business email compromise (BEC) and many other email threats. 24×7\. On any device. 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[ DMARC Report Monitor and enforce DMARC across all your domains ](https://dmarcreport.com) [ AutoSPF Automatic SPF flattening - fix "too many DNS lookups" ](https://autospf.com) ## See why organizations switch to Phish Protection Start your 60-day free trial - no credit card required. Setup takes 5 minutes. [Start Free Trial → ](https://portal.duocircle.com/cart.php?a=add&pid=101&brand=phishprotection) [Compare Plans](/pricing/) Ready to try Phish Protection? [Start free trial → ](https://portal.duocircle.com/cart.php?a=add&pid=101&brand=phishprotection) ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"Organization","name":"Phish Protection","url":"https://phishprotection.com","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://phishprotection.com/images/phishprotection-logo.png"},"description":"Advanced phishing protection and email security for businesses. 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