How to tell the difference between phishing and spam email

With nearly 3.5 million emails sent every second, our inboxes are often inundated with email, some of which can be harmful. It is crucial to understand the difference between phishing emails and spam to protect yourself from potential cyber threats. While both types of emails are unwanted, they have distinct characteristics and purposes.

Understanding Spam and Phishing Emails

Spam emails, often referred to as junk mail, are unsolicited bulk messages. They typically include advertisements, promotions, or questionable offers. Although not inherently harmful, spam emails can clutter your inbox and may sometimes contain links to harmful websites or attachments with malware.

Phishing emails are fraudulent messages crafted to deceive recipients into divulging sensitive information, such as passwords, credit card details, or personal identification information. These emails frequently masquerade as communications from legitimate entities, like banks, online retailers, or government agencies, and can be highly sophisticated.

Identifying Spam Emails

Unsolicited and Irrelevant Content

Spam emails usually contain unsolicited content that is irrelevant to your interests or needs. Be cautious of emails promoting products or services you did not inquire about.

Generic Greetings

Spam emails often use generic greetings like "Dear Customer" or "Hello Friend." Legitimate companies usually address you by your name.

Suspicious Email Addresses

Check the sender's email address carefully. Spam emails often come from addresses that appear odd, with random characters or misspelled words.

Poor Grammar and Spelling

Many spam emails contain poor grammar and spelling mistakes. Professional companies usually take care to craft well-written messages.

Unsubscribe Links

While legitimate emails often have unsubscribe links, spam emails may include them to confirm your email address. Be cautious before clicking on any unsubscribe link from an unknown sender.

Identifying Phishing Emails

Urgency and Fear Tactics

Phishing emails often create a sense of urgency or fear to prompt immediate action. Examples include warnings about account suspensions or urgent requests for password changes.

Requests for Sensitive Information

Legitimate organizations will never ask for sensitive information, such as passwords or social security numbers, via email. Be wary of any email requesting this data.

Mismatched URLs

Hover over any links in the email without clicking. Check if the URL matches the supposed sender's website. Phishing emails often use URLs that look similar but have slight differences.

Unexpected Attachments

Be cautious of unexpected email attachments, especially from unknown senders. They could contain malware designed to compromise your device.

Spoofed Sender Addresses

Phishers often spoof legitimate email addresses to appear authentic. Look closely for any discrepancies in the sender's email address.

Best Practices for Email Safety

• Be Skeptical: Always approach unsolicited emails with caution. If something seems off, it probably is.

• Verify the Sender: Always check the sender's email address. If it looks suspicious or unfamiliar, do not engage with the email.

• Use a Spam Filter: Spam filters and junk email filters are essential tools in managing the overwhelming influx of unwanted or malicious emails that bombard our inboxes daily. Despite advancements in technology, these filters are not foolproof and often fail to capture every bad email.

• Avoid Clicking Links: Do not click on links or download attachments from unknown or suspicious emails.

• Report Phishing Attempts: Most email providers have an option to report phishing attempts. Reporting these emails can help improve overall email security.

• Keep Software Updated: Ensure that your email client, windows, and system software are up to date to protect against the latest threats.

• Security awareness training:  Participate in security awareness training sessions on a monthly basis to ensure that you are well-informed about the latest cyber threats and best practices for safeguarding sensitive information. 

Takeaway

Being able to identify spam and phishing emails is vital in today's digital landscape. Awareness and vigilance are key in differentiating between phishing emails and spam. By understanding their characteristics and taking proactive steps, you can protect yourself from falling victim to cyber threats.

Sixwatch is here to help. To learn how we can assist you and your team with Managed IT Services, contact the Sixwatch IT Sales Team at 813-815-6000.