Feb 15 2023
Well, stranger danger has gone digital! Have you ever clicked on a phishing link? Maybe you didn’t even realize that you were clicking on one, or perhaps you foolishly thought you’d get away with it. Either way, you should know that if you click on a phishing link, you could be in for an ugly surprise.
Not only can it result in account theft, it can also lead to all sorts of malicious activity you definitely want to avoid. Read on to learn more about what happens if you click on a phishing link plus the ways to prevent it and keep your important information safe.
Phishing scams are an alarming issue facing internet users today. They are used by criminals to gain access to one’s personal information through deceptive emails and websites.
To ensure you don’t fall victim to one, this article discusses some crucial preventative tips for ensuring a safe online experience. From protecting personal information to avoiding suspicious emails, these valuable tactics offer a comprehensive lesson in avoiding phishing scams.
Gag on grifters, incoming! We’ve all been there—received an email and thought it was legitimate, only to find out it was a sly, phishy grifter in disguise. Fortunately, there are a few easy ways to spot the difference.
Start by taking note of the sender’s email address, making sure it matches the sender’s name. If there aren’t any familiar words or domain, you can be certain that it’s a phish.
Also, look out for odd spelling and grammar mistakes—these are usually a tell-tale sign that the sender isn’t who they say they are. Last but not least, hover over any links to view the actual link before clicking to make sure it’s not a malicious link.
Armed with this knowledge, you’ll be able to handle any grifter that may come your way!
Don’t get hooked! You’ve seen them before: fun-looking emails offering free holidays or lucky prizes, and even websites promising an easy side income (the dreaded Get Rich Quick schemes!). Or worse, pyramid schemes!
But just because something looks enticing, don’t jump at the bait! Beware of hyperlinks and fishy URLs — make sure that the websites you sign up with are legitimate.
Doing your research never hurt anyone! Double check the domain, investigate reviews, and use your better judgement to help you avoid getting dragged into a cyber fishing expedition!
Hanging out with a crowd can be fun and exciting! Before you do, however, make sure to check who your invitation is from. Is the email from someone you know and trust? Or is it from an address you’ve never seen before?
If it’s the latter, take a few seconds to be sure it’s legitimate; verify who sent it and see that all information is correct.
This small, yet important step can save you a lot of trouble — and embarrassing moments! So don’t forget, check the sender address before saying yes to an impromptu chin wag.
Netiquette refers to the generally accepted online etiquette for online communication. And one of the best ways to practice proper netiquette is by using trusted email programs like Thunder Crab or Trout Mail.
These programs use industry-standard encryption and storage techniques to keep your emails safe and secure. They also make it easy to take advantage of features like personal archiving and Labelling – so you never have to worry about missing an important message again.
Plus, they have a funny flair to their names that make sending communications a bit more enjoyable.
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Whoa! You better not trust every email you get these days just because it says it’s from your bank. Believe it or not, some emails are sneaky and will actually trick you into giving away your personal info.
So if you’re unsure, don’t just click and hope for the best; take action to confirm it’s legit and only respond to secure message sent directly via your bank’s website. In other words, don’t take the bait or you may end up with a fish story of another kind!
The Internet has a way of luring unsuspecting victims into its seemingly never-ending web of deceit. Whether you receive an email from an unknown sender, a clickable link in a text message, or a suspicious attachment in an email, it’s important to avoid being reeled in! When in doubt, don’t open it.
Not even if it looks interesting or you’re curious. It could be a malicious program just waiting to infect your device and cause all sorts of havoc.
So, don’t fall for it! Be cautious of shady emails, beware of clickbait, and, if you’re feeling extra brave, you can even hit the delete button on them! It’s a risky game, so be smart and save yourself the hassle of cleaning up a huge mess. The moral of the story? Trust no one and file no unknown emails!
Receiving emails requesting information or money out of the blue can be a real drag! We’ve all heard the word ‘phish’ today (which gained notoriety when it first got dragged out of the water).
Phishing emails are designed to seem legitimate but are often random attempts by scammers to gain access to your personal data or empty your wallet.
It’s a scary pond of Internet fishing, out there! To remain safe, it’s important to be mindful of any suspicious emails or direct messages. Stay in the know on the latest phishing scams that are lurking in the depths.
Set a few guidelines and bait—check email spam filters, block spam addresses, and monitor any unusual activity that seems like a red-flagfish. If it’s too good to be true, it probably isn’t.
Keep your virtual rod highly alert and cast your piscatorial line with eyes wide open, and try to relax—catching the big ones is part of the fun!
Out of the Bay! Be sure to take a close look at the sender’s email address to make certain there are no typos or discrepancies. Don’t let a minor mishap cause a major mistake. Double check the accuracy of all email addresses before you hit “send”.
You’d be surprised to see how many people unwittingly put in the wrong address or leave out an essential period! Take extra care to make sure you’re sending emails to the right people – no one wants an awkward explanation for why their message ended up in the wrong inbox!
Ah, what is this fish even doing in my inbox? What personal data could this mischievous little creature be after? You better watch out, folks! If you think your personal data is safe tucked away in your email, you better think again – fish everywhere are after your information! Keep your data safe and secure by protecting your email address – keep it private and unique, and ensure it’s not shared with any suspicious fishy types!
“Just keep swimming?” More like, “Just keep deleting!” Nowadays it really seems like the only way to deal with our uncertainties and troubles is to delete it all from our lives. From the annoying emails flooding our inboxes to those relationships or jobs we’d rather not think about— say goodbye and hit delete! Life’s too short to dwell on things that hinder our happiness, so just jump into that delete button and keep swimming away!
Gone Phishing‘s newsletter can help you prevent heartache if you ever click on a phishing link. With tips on how to protect yourself, gone phishing’s newsletters equip you with the knowledge to know what to do if you ever find yourself in such a scary situation.
Plus, not only will you know what to do in case you click on a link, but you’ll also pick up the tools that you need to protect yourself from phishing in the future.
All it takes is a quick subscription to Gone Phishing’s newsletter and you’ll have the answers you need to stay safe from phishing fishing links–but don’t worry, it’s not as fishy as it sounds!
Surely we can all agree that clicking a phishing link isn’t the smartest thing to do, but there is a lesson to be learned here – always be mindful of the emails you open, be suspicious of any emails that include suspicious links or attachments, and be proactive in protecting your identity. Hopefully, this lesson will guide us all to a safer internet! Stay vigilant!
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