In today’s digital world, protecting your personal information online is more important than ever. Criminals are always looking for new ways to trick people into giving away sensitive details like passwords, bank account numbers, and other private data. This guide will help you understand a common trick called “phishing” and show you how to keep yourself safe. By learning how to spot these tricks, you can protect your money, your identity, and your peace of mind.
Understanding Phishing: What It Is and Why It Matters
What is Phishing?
Phishing is a type of online fraud where criminals pretend to be a trustworthy organisation or person to trick you. They might act as your bank, a government agency, a delivery company, or a popular online service. Their goal is to make you believe their message is real so you will share your personal information, click on a dangerous link, or open a harmful attachment. They use these tricks to steal your identity, access your accounts, or even take your money.
Why Protecting Your Information is So Important
Your personal information is very valuable. If criminals get hold of it, they can cause serious problems for you. They could:
- Steal your money: By accessing your bank accounts or credit cards.
- Steal your identity: Using your details to open new accounts or commit crimes in your name.
- Access your online accounts: Such as email, social media, or shopping sites, leading to further issues.
- Damage your reputation: By using your accounts to send harmful messages to others.
Keeping your information safe means keeping yourself safe from these serious threats.
Common Ways Phishers Try to Trick You
Phishers use many different methods to try and catch you out. It’s helpful to know what these common tricks look like.
Tricky Emails (Email Phishing)
This is one of the most common types of phishing. You might receive an email that looks exactly like it’s from a company you trust, such as your bank, a government department, or an online shop. These emails often contain urgent warnings or exciting offers and ask you to click a link or open an attachment. The link usually takes you to a fake website designed to look real, where they try to steal your login details.
Suspicious Text Messages (Smishing)
Smishing is phishing that happens through text messages. You might get a text message pretending to be from a delivery service, a government body, or your bank, asking you to click on a link to update your details, track a parcel, or resolve an urgent issue. These links are dangerous and can lead to fake websites or install harmful software on your phone.
Deceptive Phone Calls (Vishing)
Vishing is phishing through phone calls. A criminal might call you, pretending to be from your bank, a government official, or even the police. They might try to scare you into believing there’s a problem with your account or that you owe money. They will then try to persuade you to reveal personal information, transfer money, or give them remote access to your computer. Remember, legitimate organisations will never ask for your full password or PIN over the phone.
Fake Websites and Pop-ups
Sometimes, when you click on a link in a phishing email or text, or even if you accidentally type a website address incorrectly, you might land on a fake website. These sites are designed to look identical to real ones but are created by criminals to steal your login details or other sensitive information. You might also encounter unexpected pop-up windows that ask for your personal data, which are also often traps.
How to Spot a Phishing Attempt
Learning to recognise the signs of a phishing attempt is your best defence. Always be suspicious and take a moment to check.
Checking the Sender and Email Address
Before you do anything else, carefully look at who sent the message. Phishers often use email addresses that look similar to real ones but have subtle differences, like a misspelling or an unusual domain name (e.g., “yourbank.co.uk” instead of “yourbank.com”). Always check the full email address, not just the display name.
Looking for Strange Links and Attachments
Never click on a link or open an attachment in an email or text message if you are unsure about the sender. If you hover your mouse cursor over a link (without clicking!), you can often see the actual web address it leads to. If it looks suspicious or doesn’t match the company mentioned, do not click it. Unexpected attachments can contain viruses or other harmful software.
Recognising Urgent or Threatening Language
Phishing messages often try to create a sense of urgency or fear. They might say your account will be closed, you’sve won a prize, or there’s a serious problem that needs immediate action. Legitimate organisations rarely use such high-pressure tactics for sensitive matters. Take a deep breath and question any message that tries to rush you.
Being Wary of Unexpected Requests for Information
Your bank, government agencies, or any reputable service provider will never ask you for your full password, PIN, or a one-time password (OTP) via email, text message, or phone call. Be extremely cautious if you receive any such request. If in doubt, contact the organisation directly using a phone number or email address you know is correct, not one provided in the suspicious message.
Verifying Website Security (HTTPS and Padlock)
When you are on a website where you need to enter personal information, always check for “HTTPS” at the beginning of the website address (URL) in your browser bar. The “S” stands for “secure.” You should also see a small padlock symbol. This indicates that the connection to the website is encrypted and more secure. If you don’t see HTTPS and the padlock, do not enter any sensitive information.
Essential Steps to Protect Yourself Online
Taking proactive steps can significantly reduce your risk of falling victim to phishing.
Using Strong and Unique Passwords
Create strong passwords that are difficult for others to guess. Use a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Importantly, use a different, unique password for each of your important online accounts. If a criminal gets one password, they won’t be able to access all your other accounts. Consider using a reputable password manager to help you remember them.
Turning On Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
Two-Factor Authentication (2FA), sometimes called multi-factor authentication, adds an extra layer of security to your accounts. Even if a criminal somehow gets your password, they still won’t be able to log in without a second piece of information, such as a code sent to your mobile phone or a fingerprint scan. Enable 2FA on all your important accounts, including email, banking, and social media.
Keeping Your Software Up-to-Date
Software updates often include important security fixes that protect your devices from new threats. Make sure your operating system (like Windows or macOS), web browser, and all your apps are regularly updated to the latest versions. Turning on automatic updates can help ensure you always have the most secure software.
Being Careful What You Share Online
Think before you post. Information you share on social media, such as your date of birth, pet’s name, or holiday plans, can sometimes be used by phishers to make their fake messages more believable. Be mindful of your privacy settings and avoid oversharing personal details.
Using Reliable Security Software
Install and regularly update reputable antivirus and anti-malware software on your computer and mobile devices. This software can help detect and block harmful programmes that phishers might try to install on your system if you accidentally click a malicious link.
What to Do If You Think You’ve Been Phished
Even with the best precautions, it’s possible you might accidentally click a suspicious link or realise you’ve given away information. Here’s what to do immediately.
Do Not Respond or Click Anything
If you receive a suspicious email or text, do not reply to it, click on any links, or open any attachments. Simply delete it. If you’ve already clicked a link, close the web page immediately.
Report the Phishing Attempt
It’s important to report phishing attempts. You can forward suspicious emails to the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) in the UK at [email protected]. For suspicious text messages, you can forward them to 7726, a free service that reports them to your mobile network provider. If the phishing attempt impersonates your bank or another service, contact that organisation directly using their official contact details.
Change Your Passwords Immediately
If you suspect you have entered your login details on a fake website, or if you have given away any sensitive information, change your passwords for the affected account(s) straight away. If you use the same password for other accounts, change those too.
Monitor Your Accounts for Unusual Activity
After a potential phishing incident, keep a close eye on your bank statements, credit card transactions, and all your online accounts for any unusual or unauthorised activity. Many banks offer services to alert you to suspicious transactions.
Staying Safe: Your Role in Preventing Phishing
Always Be Vigilant
Online safety is an ongoing effort. Phishing tactics are always evolving, so it’s important to remain vigilant and approach every unexpected message or request for information with a healthy amount of suspicion. Trust your instincts; if something feels wrong, it probably is.
Keep Learning About Online Safety
Stay informed about the latest phishing scams and online security advice. Official sources, such as government cybersecurity agencies and reputable financial institutions, often publish guidance and warnings about new threats. By continuously learning, you empower yourself to stay one step ahead of the criminals. Your active role in understanding and preventing phishing is crucial for your personal safety online.
Author
