What is Phishing and How to Avoid It

In today’s world we live in, we spend most of our day online. We send emails, shop, post on social media, or even bank from laptops or phones. Though making life easy, the internet also has some cybercrime actors who are always seeking means of stealing money or information. Among the most common ways they achieve this is through phishing.

You’ve likely heard of the phrase “phishing,” but do you know what it is? More importantly, how do you avoid getting conned by it? Today we’re going to take apart what phishing is, how it functions, the various forms of phishing, examples that you can observe around you, and particular means by which you can guard yourself.

What is Phishing?

Phishing is a web scam in which cyber attackers trick people into disclosing confidential information like passwords, credit card numbers, or bank account information. The term is coined from the word “fishing” in that a fisherman would throw bait in expectation of catching a fish, just as spammers send fake e-mails or messages in the hopes of “hooking” an unsuspecting mark.

The frightening aspect is that phishing emails are typically very realistic. They will appear to be from sources you are familiar with, such as your bank, popular retail website, or even a friend. They are typically threateningly worded—you’ll lose your account if you don’t do something immediately—and thus you’ll panic and just do it without taking a seat to think about it.

After getting your details, the scammers can steal your money, enter your accounts, or even perform identity theft in your name.

How Does Phishing Work?

Phishing exploits human psychology. Cybercriminals are aware that humans would respond quicker when they are under stress, frightened, or exhilarated. That is why phishing messages and emails typically:

• Impersonate government agencies
• Alert regarding issues demanding immediate attention
• Bribe with an enticing reward, such as a prize or a refund
• Insert links or attachments that take you to faked sites or install annoying files

This is a classic scenario of a phishing process:

1. The Bait: You get an e-mail which appears to be from your bank. The alert informs you that some suspicious activity has occurred on your account and requests that you “authenticate your identity” by clicking on a link.
2. The Hook: You go to the link, which brings you to a site that is almost identical to your bank’s log-in screen. Typically, you enter your username and password by default.
3. The Catch: The imposter site sends your log-in credentials to the cyber crooks, who then have complete control of your authentic bank account.

Sounds scary, isn’t it? Good news is that once you understand how phishing is done, it’s actually simpler to spot the signs and avoid it.

Types of Phishing Attacks

Phishing has many faces. Understanding the types makes it easier to spot the scam in the event that you do come across it. Let’s start with the most popular ones.

1. Email Phishing

This is the traditional technique of phishing. The spurious messages are from known sources such as banks, online shops, or computer companies. They typically advise you to follow a link or access an attachment.

Example: You receive an email stating, “Your Amazon account is suspended! Click here to verify your details.”

2. Spear Phishing

In contrast to standard phishing, which reaches out to a wide range of people, spear phishing focuses on specific targets. The attacker may use your name or other details they’ve collected from social media or past data breaches to authenticate the message.

Example: “Hello Sarah, we have detected suspicious activity on your PayPal account. Verify your password to lock your account.”

3. Smishing (SMS Phishing)

Phishing is not just in your email inbox. Smishing is text messaging (SMS) phishing communication. They are brief, urgent messages that tell you to click on a link or dial an imitation phone number.

Example: “Your package is delayed. Verify your shipping information at this link.”

4. Vishing (Voice Phishing)

Vishing is calls where the scammer impersonates your bank or another government agency. They’ll attempt to get you to provide sensitive information such as account numbers or PINs.

Example: “Your bank fraud department. We’ve detected suspicious activity on your account. Verify your PIN to secure it.”

5. Clone Phishing

This is the stealthy kind of phishing where the hackers get a legitimate mail you have received earlier, copy it, and substitute any attachments or links with malicious ones. It is hardly different from something you already know, and thus it is easier for you to believe.

Example: Your company IT department sending you an email that closely resembles a mail you have received earlier, but with an insecure link included.

6. Social Media Phishing

Social networking sites are also exploited by cybercriminals to engage in phishing operations. Since friends or organizations, the impersonated profiles can message you with giveaways or request log-in credentials.

Example: A counterfeit Instagram account telling you that you have won a reward and requesting your email and password so that you can “claim it.”

Examples of Real-World Phishing Attacks

When you look at real examples, it is easier to understand phishing. Below are some well-known phishing scams that hit thousands—perhaps even millions—of individuals:

1. Google Docs Phishing Scam (2017)

A large-scale phishing attack affected Gmail users by sending them an email from individuals they knew, and those individuals asked them to open a document in Google Docs. When the users clicked on the link, they were taken to a fake Google login page, and attackers hijacked their login credentials.

2. PayPal Phishing Emails

There have been numerous phishing schemes where deceitful PayPal messages alert users of “suspicious activity” or “pending transactions.” The messages trick users into logging in on a false login portal where their PayPal details become vulnerable.

3. COVID-19 Scams

Impostor health organization emails with “COVID-19 updates” or “vaccine appointments” were employed to collect personal details.

These instances demonstrate that phishing attacks are timely and topical, so it’s essential to be vigilant.

How to Identify a Phishing Attack

Having discussed how phishing works and the different disguises under which it operates, let’s now look at how to recognize a phishing attack. The following are some of the red flags you should always beat in mind:

1. Spelling and Grammar Mistakes

The majority of phishing emails are addressed to individuals by spammers who do not understand the language they are writing in. Some of the more advanced phishing emails are composed, but many of them include awkward sentences or misspelled words.

2. Unusual or Suspicious Sender

When you get an unsolicited message from an individual you don’t know—or better still, a “business” you don’t recognize—then assume it is.

3. Threatening or Urgent Language

Phishing messages typically write something like “Action required now” or “Your account will be suspended if you don’t click here.” Spammers want to rush you into errors.

4. Unusual Links or Attachments

Always mouse over a link (but not click) to determine where it is actually going. It may look unusual or not resemble the intended sender’s website; do not click. Be very careful with attachments, which can have malware.

5. Too Good to Be True

If someone emails you and informs you that you’ve won some prize or inheritance you’ve never entered or heard about—guess what? It’s a scam.

6. Requests for Personal Information

Legitimate companies would never ask you for your personal information like your passwords, credit card information, or PINs through email or text.

How to prevent phishing

1. Check Directly With the Source

If you receive a suspicious email from a company that you have business with—such as your bank—never reply to the email or click on the link. Just go straight to their legit website by entering the address in your web browser or calling their legit number.

2. Activate Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)

Two-factor authentication provides an added layer of security. Even in the event of a hacker obtaining your password, they will be unable to access your account if they do not proceed with the second step of authentication, such as a text message sent to your cell phone number.

3. Update Software and Devices

Software updates tend to seal off security loopholes that hackers can use. Updating your devices and apps keeps you safe from the newest threats.

4. Install Security Software

Antivirus and anti-malware software can trap phishing attacks before they are able to hurt you. Most modern security software includes email scans to provide you with extra protection.

5. Educate Yourself and Others

The more informed you are about phishing, the better protected you will be. Educate your household members, particularly older individuals or kids, who are probably not as aware of internet threats.

6. Use Strong, Unique Passwords

Do not use one password for everything. If one gets hacked, they are safe. Using a password manager makes it easy to manage all of your passwords.

What to Do If You’ve Been a Victim of a Phishing Scam

Even the most vigilant people can fall prey to phishing scams now and then. If this happens, don’t panic—hop to it.

1. Change Your Passwords: Begin with the compromised account, but change others as well, particularly if you employed the same password for another account.
2. Notify Your Bank or Card Issuer: If you provided financial details, notify your bank at once. They can prevent unauthorized transactions.
3. Activate Fraud Alerts: Several banks let you place fraud alerts on your account to check for suspicious transactions.
4. Report the Scam: Most email providers and businesses have reporting websites where you can report phishing attempts. This will prevent the scam from going any further.
5. Run a Security Scan: Scan your computers with antivirus or anti-malware software to detect any hidden dangers.

Final Thoughts

Phishing is the oldest trick in the cybercrooks’ book—and it won’t be disappearing anytime soon. But with the right information and a healthy dose of skepticism, you can avoid becoming their next victim.

The key is to take your time and use your head when you get messages requesting your own information or telling you to do something in a hurry. Smart, taking a look at the links, and employing current security software, you can surf the internet safely without getting caught in a phishing trap.

Remember: If it stinks, listen to your gut—it’s better to be safe than sorry.