Top 5 Signs It Is a Phishing Email
Introduction
We believe that most readers of this article have either heard of or encountered an email supposedly sent by a foreign prince, expressing a desire to hand over their vast inheritance to the recipient. These emails are known as phishing emails, which aim to obtain sensitive information from users (e.g., account passwords, credit card data), influence users to take certain actions (e.g., transfer money, send important documents), or spread malware. However, not all phishing emails are so easy to detect—on the contrary, they may closely resemble legitimate emails that users receive daily in their inboxes.
We’ve compiled a list of 5 key points to help users determine whether an email they’ve received is a phishing attempt or not.
Phishing Email Indicator 1: Sender Address
The sender’s address is one of the most important aspects of a phishing email that can indicate whether the email is legitimate. Although it’s generally not possible to fake a sender’s address entirely, there are several tricks used to make it appear trustworthy. These include adding familiar keywords to the address—for example, instead of a legitimate address like support-in@google.com, a fake sender might use google@support-in.com. Similarly, attackers might replace letters with similar-looking symbols or characters. For instance, in the address info@google.com, the letter “g” might be replaced with “q,” resulting in info@qooqle.com.
Phishing Email Indicator 2: Suspicious Links
Phishing emails often contain malicious links that redirect users to phishing websites or trigger malware downloads. It’s important to recognize common tricks used to mislead users. These links might be hidden behind buttons, shortened URLs, or even disguised as legitimate-looking text. In the latter case, the visible link may look trustworthy, but clicking on it redirects to a malicious site. To verify a link, hover your mouse over it without clicking. This will show the true destination, either directly on the link or in the lower-left corner of your screen. One common technique is to use URL shorteners, which obfuscate the final destination. To check if a shortened link is legitimate, you can use a URL expander tool.
Phishing Email Indicator 3: Suspicious Attachments
Besides dangerous links, criminals often use attachments to lure users into downloading malware or fake documents. In many cases, the email claims the attachment is an invoice or another important document. Be especially cautious if the email includes an unexpected attachment, and do not download files unless you are sure they are necessary. Additionally, be aware that documents requesting unexpected permission to enable “Macros” are almost certainly malicious.
To bypass email service and antivirus protections, attackers often compress malware into .zip files. This helps obfuscate the file’s contents. If an email contains a .zip archive protected with a password (and the password is provided in the same email), it is very likely to contain malware. Password-protected .zip files encrypt their contents, making it impossible even for the best antivirus tools to scan them.
Phishing Email Indicator 4: Sense of Urgency
Phishing emails often try to create a sense of urgency or panic to increase the likelihood that the recipient overlooks the signs of fraud. These emails usually include a time-sensitive threat. For example, a message might claim someone has accessed your account from a foreign country and urge you to change your password immediately. In such cases, it’s important not to panic. Instead, calmly reread the email, looking for other signs of phishing. If you’re still unsure after reviewing it, navigate to the service provider’s website manually via your browser, rather than clicking any links in the email. This way, you can safely access the same information.
Phishing Email Indicator 5: Email Content (Grammar, Generic Language, Material Gain)
The content of the email itself can also provide clues. Promises of material gain—such as unexpected winnings, inheritances, discount coupons, or gift cards—should raise suspicion. Be wary of anything that seems too good to be true. Phishing emails often use generic greetings (e.g., “Dear user”), which can be a red flag. Pay attention to grammar and sentence structure—poor language, confusing wording, or illogical phrasing can all indicate a phishing attempt. It’s important to note that a single element alone might not confirm a phishing email, but in combination with other indicators, it strengthens the case.
Conclusion
On average, 3.4 billion phishing emails are sent every day. The chances of finding one in your inbox are quite high. To avoid falling victim, you must stay vigilant. Carefully read every email you receive, keeping in mind the five points mentioned above. There’s no single rule for identifying phishing emails—it’s about evaluating the overall picture and making an informed decision. If you’re still uncertain after reviewing the email, navigate to the service provider’s official website using your browser; all the information mentioned in the email should be available there as well.
To counter the potential threats of phishing emails, stay up to date with new phishing techniques, and maintain a state of readiness, we recommend that organizations regularly conduct phishing campaigns targeting their own employees. Only continuous training ensures strong protection and provides a realistic understanding of employees’ awareness and knowledge in the field of phishing.