Recognize and avoid phishing emails with Alpina
What are phishing emails?
Phishing emails are deceptive emails that impersonate messages from trusted companies or agencies. They are designed to steal sensitive information such as passwords, credit card numbers or other access codes. Often these emails ask you to download a file, click on a link or fill out a form. If you do this, you run the risk of having your information misused.
How do you recognize a phishing email?
Despite cybercriminals becoming increasingly sophisticated, you can often recognize phishing emails by the following signs:
Unexpected requests
Emails that suddenly ask for sensitive information such as passwords or bank details are suspicious. Trustworthy parties will never do this.
Compelling tone
Phishing emails often try to pressure you by saying that immediate action is needed, such as having your account blocked. This is a tactic to get you to act quickly.
Strange URLs
The links in phishing emails seem reliable, but if you hover over them without clicking, you can see that the URL is suspect. They often look like the real site, but contain misspellings or strange additions.
Poor grammar and spelling errors
Despite cybercriminals getting smarter, many phishing emails still contain grammatical errors or strange sentence structures, often due to automatic translations.
Unknown sender
Are you receiving an e-mail from someone you don't know or from a company you've never had contact with? If so, be extra careful.
Protect yourself from phishing emails
Fortunately, there are ways to protect yourself from phishing emails:
1
Stay alert
Even one click on a wrong link can cause problems. Check the sender carefully, especially if an action is requested.
2
Two-step verification
Use two-step verification for extra security even if your password falls into the wrong hands.
3
Antivirus Software
Install good antivirus software to detect suspicious attachments or links before they can do any damage.
4
Verification
Receiving a suspicious e-mail? Contact the party that sent the message to verify. Or delete the message without clicking on anything.
Protect yourself with cyber insurance!
Now that you know what to look out for, you'll be better prepared to keep your personal data safe. Cybercrime remains a growing danger in our digital world, and proper protection is essential. With a cyber insurance you're insured against financial losses from hacking, data breaches or online fraud.
Still have questions or want more advice on securing your data? Then feel free to contact us!
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