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Cyber Security Degrees

How can you identify phishing websites and protect your data?

Phishing attacks are getting more sophisticated every day. This allows attackers to steal passwords, usernames, and credit card information by pretending to be an entity that is reliable in electronic communication.

It’s not always easy to recognize phishing websites. You may get an email or SMS from someone trying to steal your personal information, whether you are using your MAC, Windows, or Linux system.

We have listed a few tips to help you recognize phishing sites. Let’s get down to it!

Check the type of connection

It is easy to distinguish real websites from fake ones with this one. Click on the URL in your address bar to confirm that the site contains an “HTTPS” or “HTTPP” tag. It is considered secure if it begins with HTTPS:// // and displays a green icon. HTTPS is a secure protocol that encrypts all communication between your browser (and the website) and protects you from many spy threats such as attacks from middlemen.

Search for an SSL/TLS certificate

TSL/ SSL certificates play an important role in protecting the data of visitors to a website. It protects web browsers and web servers by encrypting every browsing session.

SSL certificates often come with trusted seals that will verify the information you are clicking on. To confirm a website’s credibility, it is important to click on these seals. This seal can provide detailed information about malware scans and vulnerability assessments. Some browsers let you view the details of the certificate simply by clicking on the padlock. However, in some browsers, you will need to dig deeper to see the same thing.

SSL EV certification is a must for large brands and companies as it allows you to easily verify that the site you’re visiting is legitimate.

Pop-up messages are to be avoided

These are huge warning signs if you visit a website and are immediately greeted with a popup asking for your credentials.

A phishing trick may lead you to a legitimate website, but it is possible. These pop-ups can be used to entrap vulnerable targets by collecting personal information.

If in doubt, you can contact the company or individual using the contact information that you have already or found on their legitimate site. You should also make sure you’re 100% certain that the website is authentic, secure, and verified before you submit any personal information.

Examine the content of your website

You can easily identify phishing sites by looking at the entire website content if a webpage you visited seems suspicious. You should check the writing style, as it may contain spelling errors and poor grammar. It might also be different than the one used by the sender.

Phishing websites also have red flags such as clickbait headlines and low-resolution images, empty pages, poor grammar, and excessive advertising.

Tips for Identifying Phishing Sites

Many different methods can be used to get personal information. Technology is getting more sophisticated. These tips will help you identify phishing websites.

  • Many Phishing emails use different email addresses than their email account name. Phishing emails can use domain names that seem slightly out of sync. You can hover over the link to verify it before you click – many times, these links will take users to sites that do not have anything to do with the domain the sender claimed to be sending.
  • Phishing attacks can often create a sense of urgency in mails and can threaten recipients with severe consequences if they don’t respond quickly.
  • Before opening attachments in your email, confirm the identity of the sender. This is true even if the attachment was obtained from a trusted source.
  • Phishing calls the user by phone and asks them for a number. Phishing is a phone scam that aims to get personal information regarding a bank account. Phishing involves false identification.

Conclusion

Although phishing attacks will increase over the next few years, as long as you’re trained to avoid them, they’ll be less common in the future. You can protect yourself against hackers by having a deep understanding of the threats. A coach can help you identify phishing sites.