Think Before You Click

National Cybersecurity Awareness Month

To reduce your risk of falling for a phishing scam, Think Before You Click!

Start to look at emails from a new perspective

Look at the email address

Even if it is from a name you recognize, Think Before You Click!

<somelongname8825@gmail.com> – Most business emails do not come from a GMAIL account – be suspicious.

<info@amazonn.com> – Perhaps there is a spelling error that can easily be overlooked if rushing – be suspicious.

TIP – on a phone email app, you don’t always see the senders email address. If it looks odd, wait to open it and check it out using a computer.

Does it ask to confirm personal information?

Think Before You Click! No one will EVER need your password, even “your” IT Department.

It is common to receive an email that looks like it’s from Mircosoft Office asking you to log into your account – the link actually takes you to a fake login page that steals your credentials.

Does the way it’s written seem odd?

Think Before You Click! Cybercriminals today are much more sophisticated and have more money to create exact replicas of legitimate email. Simple emails from your boss asking you to transfer money will often just not sound right.

Does the email have an attachment?

ALWAYS Think Before You Click! This is a common way to spread malware. If you are not expecting the email and attachment, don’t open!

The message is urgent

Think Before You Click! The message needs to you do something immediately and the consequences can cause panic! Don’t be gullible. If it was that important, you’d receive a phone call and not an email.

Are there hyperlinks?

Think Before You Click! You can add a URL link to any text, so NEVER click without hovering over the hyperlink to see where it will take you.