Phishing 101: How to Spot a Scam Email and Protect Yourself

In today's digital world, our inboxes are constantly bombarded with emails. But not all emails are created equal. Phishing scams are a cunning attempt by cybercriminals to trick you into revealing sensitive information, like passwords or credit card details.

Here at Everykey , we understand the importance of online security. That's why we want to equip you with the knowledge to spot a scam email and protect yourself from these malicious attacks.

What is Phishing?

Phishing emails are designed to look legitimate, often mimicking trusted sources like banks, social media platforms, or even your boss. They typically create a sense of urgency or fear to pressure you into clicking a malicious link or opening an attachment. Once you click, these links can lead to fake websites designed to steal your information, or download malware onto your device.

How to Spot a Phishing Email:

Here are some red flags to watch out for:

• Sense of Urgency: Phishing emails often pressure you to act quickly, claiming your account is locked, a payment is overdue, or there's suspicious activity. Don't rush! Take a moment to scrutinize the email before taking any action.
• Generic Greetings: Legitimate companies will usually address you by name. Generic greetings like "Dear Customer" or "Dear User" are a sign something might be fishy.
• Misspellings and Poor Grammar: Professional organizations take pride in their communication. Typos and grammatical errors can be a telltale sign of a scam.
• Suspicious Links and Attachments: Never click on links or open attachments from unknown senders. Hover your mouse over the link to see the actual URL; it might not match what's displayed in the text.
• Unrealistic Offers or Threats: Emails promising instant riches or threatening dire consequences if you don't comply are classic phishing tactics. Be skeptical of anything that sounds too good to be true, or overly alarming.

How Everykey Can Help:

While these tips can help you identify many phishing attempts, cybercriminals are constantly evolving their methods. Everykey offers an extra layer of security by eliminating the need to rely on passwords altogether.

Remember:

• Don't respond to suspicious emails.
• If you're unsure, verify directly with the sender. Contact the supposed sender through a trusted channel, like a phone number you know is correct, to confirm the email's legitimacy.
• Report phishing attempts. Many email providers offer a way to report phishing emails. This helps them track and block future attempts.

By staying vigilant and using strong authentication methods like Everykey, you can significantly reduce your risk of falling victim to phishing scams and protect your valuable online data.

About Everykey

Everykey is on a mission to replace passwords and keys. Everykey is the world’s first mobile app that turns your smartphone into a proximity-based smart key. Everykey wirelessly unlocks phones, computers, tablets, and automatically logs into online accounts when you’re nearby, then locks everything down when you walk away.

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