The internet can be a dangerous place, especially when cybercriminals are trying to steal your personal information. Scammers can use emails to gain access to your passwords, bank accounts, Social Security numbers and more, which they then sell or otherwise exploit.
The best way to protect scammer emails check against such attacks is to install anti-virus and phishing protection software. You should also regularly update your operating system and other software. This will help to avoid zero-day vulnerabilities and prevent hackers from installing malware on your device.
Another helpful tip to keep in mind is to check the email’s spelling, grammar and sentence structure. Although a few typos are normal, multiple mistakes in an email can be a red flag. Additionally, look for links that go to suspicious websites or do not match up with the text in the email. Lastly, make sure that the website is secured by looking for ‘https:’ at the beginning of the address or a closed padlock icon in the browser.
One of the most common scams involves a “too good to be true” email, where the recipient is told that they won a lottery or have inherited money and must pay taxes or fees to claim their prize or inheritance. In these cases, scammers send a fake cashier’s check to the recipient and ask them to wire back funds before they can receive their inheritance or prize.
Hackers often hide malicious attachments in emails that appear to be legitimate, such as invoices or software updates. To prevent this, you should always hover your cursor over the link in an email to see where it takes you. If the destination is suspicious, you should disconnect from your Wi-Fi or mobile network immediately.