Recognizing Phishing Attempts

1 min read Advanced Security Topics

Recognizing Phishing Attempts

Developing the ability to spot phishing emails is crucial for individuals and organizations:

Technical Indicators:

  • Sender address doesn't match the organization's domain
  • Generic greetings instead of personalized ones
  • URLs that don't match the supposed sender
  • Unexpected attachments, especially compressed files or macros
  • Poor formatting or image quality
  • Missing security indicators like digital signatures

Content Red Flags:

  • Urgent action required with consequences for non-compliance
  • Requests for sensitive information via email
  • Offers that seem too good to be true
  • Emotional manipulation through fear or greed
  • Grammar and spelling errors (though these are becoming less common)
  • Inconsistencies in tone or style from known senders

Contextual Clues:

  • Unexpected emails about unfamiliar topics
  • Requests that bypass normal procedures
  • Communications outside normal business hours
  • Changes in typical communication patterns
  • Requests for secrecy or confidentiality