🎣 Gone Phishing: Don’t Get Caught in the Email Net

Phishing isn’t just something that happens in spy movies or to “other people.” Every day, over 3 billion phishing emails are sent out worldwide. These scams are getting smarter—and I know you are smart too ;), or at least I think.

This month, we’re simplifying how to detect phishing attacks—no jargon, no overwhelm. Just the basics you need to protect yourself and your team.

📬 What Exactly Is Phishing?

Phishing is a form of cyberattack where scammers pose as trustworthy sources—like your bank, a coworker, or a well-known company—to trick you into:

Clicking a malicious link

Downloading a fake attachment

Giving up personal or financial info

🔍 5 Easy Ways to Spot a Phishing Attempt

1. Check the “From” Address Closely

Phishers love to impersonate legit emails. If the address looks off (e.g., [email protected] instead of [email protected]), be suspicious.

💡 Pro Tip: Hover your mouse over the sender’s name to see the full email address.

2. Watch for Urgency or Threats

“Your account will be closed in 24 hours!”

Scammers want to rush you so you don’t think twice. If the message is urgent, pause and double-check.

3. Look for Typos and Grammar Errors

Big companies hire editors. If the message reads like it was written in a rush or by someone unfamiliar with the language, it probably wasn’t sent by a legitimate organization.

4. Don’t Trust Links—Verify Them

Hover over links to preview where they lead. If the URL looks strange or doesn’t match the supposed sender’s domain, don’t click it.

🔗 Example: A real PayPal link: https://paypal.com

A shady one: https://paypal.account-help.info

5. Unexpected Attachments? Avoid Them

If you didn’t ask for it, don’t open it. Malware often hides in fake invoices, resumes, or delivery notifications.

🛠️ Simple Tools to Help You Out

Built-in email filters (Gmail, Outlook, etc.) are your first line of defense.

Browser security warnings often flag suspicious sites.

PhishTank and VirusTotal can help verify links and attachments.

👩‍🏫 A Simple Rule of Thumb

If something feels off, it probably is. Trust your gut, verify before you click, and when in doubt—don’t.

📢 Team Tip of the Month

“When I get an email from a boss or coworker asking for something unusual, I call them. 30 seconds on the phone saves hours of cleanup.”

– Jordan M., IT Support Lead

Next Issue: Passwords Are Dead. Long Live Passkeys? More on that later!

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Stay safe, stay smart, and see you soon!

🧠 CyberSimple Team

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