Spam vs. Phishing: Don ’ t Be Hooked by these Digital Deceptions
By: Orange County Information Technology
While both often land in your inbox, understanding the differences between spam and phishing emails is crucial to protecting your personal information and online safety.
What is Spam? Imagine an overflowing mailbox stuffed with unwanted flyers – that's essentially spam email. These unsolicited messages primarily aim to advertise products, services, or websites you haven't requested. While annoying and intrusive, they generally don't pose immediate harm. Think of them as digital salespeople, more pushy than dangerous. Common Traits of Spam: • Promotional content: Offers, discounts, and deals for various products or services. • Generic greetings: Often addressed to "Dear Customer" or "Valued User," lacking personalization. • Suspicious sender addresses: Unfamiliar email addresses with unusual characters or misspellings. • Exaggerated claims: Promises that sound too good to be true, often with exclamation points and emojis. • Urgency tactics: Creating a sense of scarcity or limited time offers pressuring users to click “ now. ” What is Phishing? Phishing emails, unlike spam, are crafted to deceive. They masquerade as legitimate messages from trusted sources like banks, social media platforms, or even friends and family. Their goal? To steal your personal information like passwords, credit card details, or login credentials. Think of them as digital imposters, tricking you into revealing sensitive data. Red Flags of Phishing: • Sender spoofing: Emails appear to come from a recognizable organization, but the sender address might have subtle misspellings or use similar - looking domains. • Urgent threats: Warnings about account issues, suspicious activity, or impending closure create panic and pressure you into quick action. • Suspicious links: Hover over the link before clicking. Does it match the displayed text? Does it lead to a legitimate website? • Requests for personal information: Legitimate organizations rarely ask for sensitive data via email. Be wary of any such requests. • Grammatical errors and poor formatting: Professional organizations typically have high standards for email communication. Watch out for typos, strange wording, and unprofessional layouts. Remember: • Never click on suspicious links or download attachments from unknown senders. • Verify the sender's identity by contacting the organization directly through a trusted source (phone number, official website). • Don't respond to urgent requests or threats. Legitimate organizations offer alternative communication channels for resolving issues. • Keep your software and anti - virus programs updated for added protection.
Page 8 | February 2024
Made with FlippingBook Online newsletter