Avoiding Phishing Attacks: How to Spot and Stop Online Scams
Learn how to spot and avoid phishing attacks. This guide covers common warning signs, prevention tips, and tools to stay safe from social engineering scams.
Avoiding Phishing Attacks: How to Spot and Stop Online Scams
By Ketan Kapadia
What is phishing and how can you avoid it?
Phishing is a type of cyberattack where scammers impersonate trusted organizations to trick individuals into sharing sensitive data—such as login credentials or credit card numbers. You can avoid phishing attacks by learning to recognize warning signs, verifying suspicious messages, and using security tools like anti-phishing filters and passwordless login methods.
TL;DR
Phishing attacks use fake emails, websites, or messages to steal information or deliver malware. Protect yourself by being skeptical of unsolicited messages, never clicking unknown links, verifying suspicious requests independently, and enabling anti-phishing tools in your email and browser.
What Is a Phishing Attack?
Phishing is a form of social engineering where attackers impersonate trusted entities—banks, retailers, government agencies, or even coworkers—to trick users into:
- Revealing login credentials or financial data
- Downloading malware via malicious attachments
- Clicking on spoofed or shortened links
- Logging into fake websites that capture their information
Attackers often exploit current events to increase their success rate, such as:
- Public health scares (e.g., COVID-19 scams)
- Natural disasters (e.g., wildfire relief fraud)
- Tax seasons and elections
- Holiday shopping seasons
- Charitable donation drives
Common Signs of a Phishing Attempt
1. Suspicious Email Addresses
Cybercriminals often use domains that appear similar to trusted ones, altering just a few characters (e.g., @apple.support.com vs. @apple.com).
2. Spoofed Links
Always hover over links before clicking. If the previewed URL doesn’t match the visible text—or uses a strange domain extension—it’s likely a trap.
3. Unsolicited Attachments
Unexpected attachments are often used to spread malware. Never open files unless you were expecting them and can verify the sender.
4. Generic Greetings
Emails that begin with “Dear Customer” or “Sir/Ma’am” instead of your name, and lack full contact details in the signature, are red flags.
How to Protect Yourself from Phishing
✅ Be Skeptical of Unexpected Requests
If you receive a message asking for personal or financial info, verify it with the organization using a trusted contact method—never the one provided in the message.
✅ Don’t Click Unverified Links
Avoid clicking on links in unsolicited emails or messages. Visit websites by typing the URL directly or using a saved bookmark.
✅ Use Secure Websites
Before entering sensitive information, check that the website uses HTTPS and the domain name is correct. Watch for typos or suspicious extensions (e.g., .net instead of .com).
✅ Enable Anti-Phishing Tools
Modern browsers and email clients offer phishing detection tools—make sure they’re turned on. Consider using security-focused extensions like uBlock Origin or NoScript.
✅ Keep Software Updated
Install and maintain antivirus, antimalware, and firewall software to block known phishing vectors. Ensure your operating system and browser are always up to date.
Bonus Tip: Adopt Passwordless Authentication
Most phishing attacks aim to steal passwords. By eliminating passwords altogether and moving to passwordless, phishing-resistant login—like BlokSec’s Immutable Authentication™—you remove the primary target from the equation.
FAQ: Phishing Prevention Basics
What is the goal of phishing?
To trick individuals into revealing sensitive information (like passwords or banking info), often by impersonating trusted organizations.
Can phishing occur through SMS or phone calls?
Yes. These are called smishing (SMS phishing) and vishing (voice phishing). The same principles apply—don’t trust unsolicited messages or calls without verification.
What should I do if I click a phishing link?
Disconnect from the internet, run a malware scan, and change any passwords associated with the compromised account. Notify your IT or security team if you’re part of an organization.
Is antivirus software enough to stop phishing?
It helps reduce risk, but user awareness is key. Antivirus software can detect known threats, but phishing attacks rely heavily on human behavior.