Protect Yourself
From Phishing Attacks

What is Phishing? Understanding Phishing Attacks and Why You Need Protection

Phishing is a type of cybercrime where criminals attempt to trick you into revealing sensitive information or installing malware. These attacks often use deceptive emails, messages, or websites to steal personal data like usernames, passwords, and financial details.

In 2023, the FBI reported nearly 300,000 phishing incidents, making it the most common type of online scam. This highlights the importance of robust phishing protection strategies. This article provides 11 actionable tips, plus information about using Norton 360 Deluxe, which features AI-powered scam detection, to help identify and avoid phishing attacks.

Tip 1: Learn to Recognize the Signs of a Phishing Message

The first line of defense is knowing how to spot a phishing attempt. Common red flags include generic greetings (e.g., 'Dear Customer'), unusual links, suspicious sender addresses, and poor grammar or spelling errors.

Be wary of messages with: unusual content (unexpected prizes, requests for personal info), suspicious links (misspellings, shortened URLs), false urgency (threats of account suspension), odd payment requests (gift cards), and bad design (poor formatting or mismatched branding).

If you suspect a message is phishing, do not click any links or reply. Responding confirms your email address is active, prompting further attacks. Use Norton 360 Deluxe to quickly assess suspicious messages by taking a screenshot and using its AI-powered scam detection.

Tip 2: Never Click Unknown Links or Attachments

Avoid clicking links or attachments in suspicious emails or texts. Always question the origin of the communication, especially if you weren’t expecting it. Hover your mouse over links to check the true URL for misspellings before clicking.

Be extremely cautious about attachments from unknown senders, especially those with .exe, .zip, or .scr file extensions, as they can contain malware. If you accidentally click a phishing link or download a suspicious file, disconnect from the internet and run a full system scan with your antivirus software.

Remember, even clicking 'unsubscribe' links in suspicious emails can be risky. It’s safer to delete the message and block the sender.

Tip 3: Filter Unwanted Emails to Reduce Risk

Most email providers filter malicious emails into spam or junk folders. However, some may still slip through. Report suspicious emails as spam to help filter them out in the future.

How to filter phishing emails in Gmail: Open the email, click the checkbox, then the three dots, and choose 'Filter messages like these.' Define filtering criteria, and then create the filter. For the safest option, select 'Delete it' and confirm.

How to filter phishing emails in Outlook: Open the email, click the three dots, choose 'Advanced actions > Create rule.' Fill in conditions to filter emails to your chosen location.

Tip 4: Report Suspicious Messages to Your Email Provider and Authorities

Reporting suspicious emails is crucial. It helps providers identify and combat threats, protecting you and others. To report phishing in Gmail, select the email, click the three dots, and choose 'Report phishing.'

If the message targets your work email, inform your IT department. You can also forward the message to the Anti-Phishing Working Group or report it to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Your actions can prevent further phishing attacks.

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The best protection against phishing involves a multi-layered approach, including awareness, caution, and robust security software.

Norton Security Expert

Tip 5: Avoid Sharing Personal Information in Emails

Never share sensitive personal information via email. Cybercriminals use such data for identity theft and other fraudulent activities. Remember, these emails are stored in your Sent history or archive, creating potential vulnerabilities.

Never share: Social Security numbers, banking details, credit card numbers, account passwords, birth dates, ID numbers, or health insurance information. Legitimate institutions will never ask for personal information via email. Be wary of phishing emails pretending to be your bank requesting account details.

Tip 6: Use Strong Passwords and Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)

Robust account security relies on strong passwords and 2FA. 2FA adds an extra layer of protection by requiring something you have (e.g., your phone) or a biometric (fingerprint) to log in.

Following password best practices is essential. Make passwords at least 15 characters long, avoid personal information, and use unique passwords for each account. Norton 360 Deluxe includes a password manager to help create and securely store strong, unique passwords.

Microsoft research indicates that strong passwords combined with 2FA protect accounts approximately 99.9% of the time.

Tip 7: Keep Your Software Up to Date

Regular operating system updates often include critical security patches. These patches protect your device from security threats that may target vulnerabilities exploited by phishing attacks, allowing malware to slip through.

Enable automatic updates in your settings and schedule updates during times you’re not using your device to minimize disruption. Do not postpone security updates.

Protect Yourself Now Get Norton 360 Deluxe for AI-Powered Phishing Protection

Implementing these tips is crucial for staying safe online. Norton 360 Deluxe provides an additional layer of protection with its AI-powered scam detection capabilities.

Simply take a screenshot of any suspicious communication and use the tool to analyze it. Within seconds, you'll receive a notification warning you about potential phishing attempts.

With Norton 360 Deluxe, you get comprehensive protection against phishing attacks and other online threats.