Everything You Need to Know About Email Scams
With over 3 billion spam emails sent every day, email scams, also known as phishing scams, are the most popular type of cybercrime. Younger individuals are more likely
to be targeted by email scammers, with research revealing Millennials and Gen-Z internet users are the most likely to be victims of phishing assaults. These email scams
are intended to deceive people into disclosing personal and financial information by imitating a reputable business or individual. Let’s explore the types of email scams,
how to spot them, and what you can do to protect yourself.
Scam Types
Cybercriminals will try to enter your network through a variety of methods, including email. Here are the most typical types of email scams:
1. Phishing
Phishing is a sort of internet fraud in which criminals use email, text messages, or other means to mimic reputable companies to obtain critical information. For instance,
you may get an email claiming to be from your bank. They say your account has been compromised and that you must update your password. This appears to be
genuine, so you click the link to reset your password and generate a new one. The URL, however, goes to a fake website built by the criminal. As a result, when you
input your current credentials, the information you supply is sent directly to the scammers.
2. Spam
Spam emails frequently contain “get rich quick” scams, faux charity requests, or chain emails. Luckily, advances in technology have enabled most email providers to
screen out spam emails. However, the occasional spam email may get through, so be alert.
3. Whaling
Whaling attacks are used by cybercriminals to mimic top management in a corporation, such as the CEO, CFO, or other executives, in the hopes of gaining access to
critical data or money. Most of the time, these scammers urge their victims to wire money to a third-party bank account. This is accomplished through the use of fake
invoices.
4. Spoofing
The forging of an email header so that the message looks to have originated from someone or somewhere other than the true source is known as email spoofing. This
is a more sophisticated sort of fraud that can sometimes get past the spam email filter.
How to Spot Email Scams?
Unfortunately, spam emails do find their way into email inboxes successfully. Thankfully, there are ways to recognize them and avoid being a victim of them. Here are a
few things to keep an eye out for:
1. Various Email Addresses and Names
Spam emails are usually clear, but more complex phishing efforts require a deeper examination. For example, the scammers may have replaced a lowercase L with a
capital L. This is an obvious indicator that the sender is attempting to emulate someone else.
2. Errors in Spelling and Grammar
Scam emails frequently contain spelling errors, but not by accident. Yes, English may not be the scammer’s native language, but obvious errors filter out the less
vulnerable, allowing the scammer to target the most vulnerable victims. Because well-known organizations have reputations to protect, you will never find obvious
error in their emails.
3. Unusual Authentication Information
The authentication data in forged emails will be incorrect. To check this, click on the header and look at the “mailed-by,” “signed-by,” and “encryption” data. All of them
should have the same name as the sender.
4. Signature Forgery
Scammers will also make an effort to forge signatures. This might involve adding photographs that look to be genuine.
How to Avoid Email Scams?
You now understand how to identify email fraud. Here are some additional methods for preventing email scams from succeeding.
1. Employee Education
Employee education is the most critical approach to preventing email frauds from occurring. ACM can provide a training strategy and plan to keep your company secure.
2. Firewall
You need a safety net in case something slips past your employees. A strong firewall can assist capture anything that tries to penetrate your network.
3. Microsoft 365
Microsoft 365 is our preferred cloud suite since it includes spam email prevention. This is a platform where organizations may conduct training and simulate phishing
attempts to test their workers’ ability to spot possible risks. Given that users are your first line of defense when it comes to cybersecurity, this can be critical in
preventing harmful emails from being sent.
Learn How to Spot Email Fraud and Safeguard Your Company
Don’t put off putting this information into action. Cybercriminals are always seeking methods to exploit network weaknesses, so every minute that passes is another
opportunity for them to breach your defenses. Would you like further help with your IT support and security? Then get in touch with us now via the hotline at
6295 5962 or email at info@achievement.com.sg.
ACM can help you secure your company with email security while also increasing efficiency by offering IT
support and maintenance services.
