7 Tips to Protect Yourself from Malicious Emails That Threaten Your Online Safety

We have put together a guide on how to recognise and stay away from spam or phishing emails that could jeopardise your online security because we are aware that cyber security is a top concern for everyone we work with.

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Here you can watch a video from the Australian Cyber Security Centre to find out what a phishing message looks like and how they work.

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And how to spot a phishing message

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It doesn’t matter if you are an individual using email at home, or what type or size of business you are in, phishing affects everyone. 

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What are spam and phishing emails?

These are fake messages that try to trick you into giving out your personal information, like passwords, bank information, or credit card numbers. They might also have harmful links or attachments that can infect your device with malware.

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What is malware?

Malware is short for "malicious software" and refers to any software that is designed to cause harm to computer systems, networks, or users. 

Malware can take many forms, including:

1. Virus: Programs that spread from one computer to another by infecting other programs and making copies of themselves.
2. Worms: Programs that replicate and spread across a network without the need for a host file.
3. Trojan: Programs that appear to be legitimate but contain hidden malicious functionality.
4. Ransomware: Software that locks up a user's files and asks for money in exchange for the key to unlock them.
5. Adware: Software that displays unwanted ads on a user’s computer or device.
6. Spyware: Software that collects information about a user’s computer usage and sends it to a third party without the user’s knowledge or consent.
7. Rootkit: Software that provides an attacker with administrator-level access to a computer or network.
8. Backdoor: Programs that allow unauthorised access to a computer system.

7 ways to protect yourself from spam or phishing emails:

• Don’t click on links or open attachments from unknown or suspicious senders. If you receive an email that seems too good to be true or threatens you 'to take action', be cautious and delete it.
• Check the sender's address and name, the subject line, and the message itself for signs of phishing, such as misspelled words, mismatched domains, vague or urgent language, or requests for personal information.
• Verify the website URL before entering any information. Make sure it is legitimate and starts with "https". Avoid clicking on links in emails and type the URL directly in your browser instead.
• Use strong passwords and change them regularly. Don’t use the same password for multiple accounts or share them with anyone. Use a password manager to store and generate passwords securely.
• Keep your operating system and software up to date. Install security patches and updates as soon as they are available. This will help prevent hackers from exploiting any vulnerabilities in your system.
• Use anti-virus and anti-spam software to check your device for harmful or unwanted messages and block them. We offer managed antivirus as a service; you can find out more here.
• Report phishing emails to your email provider or relevant authorities.

How do you report a phishing email?

The way to report a phishing email depends on your email provider and device. For example, if you use Gmail on a computer, you can follow these steps:

• Go to Gmail and open the message.
• Next to Reply , click "More".
• Click "Report phishing".

If you use Outlook.com, you can follow these steps:

• Select "Junk" in the Outlook toolbar and choose "Phishing" in the drop-down menu.
• Select "Report" to send Microsoft a phishing email notice.

You can also contact us for advice on how to block phishing emails.

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If you receive a phishing text message, you can report it to your carrier provider or visit the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) phone scams page for more information.

Think you can spot a scam when you see one? Put your skills to the test and Take the quiz now!

How Superior IT can help protect you

Spam and phishing emails are some of the most common and dangerous forms of malware attacks. They can compromise your data, damage your reputation, and cost you money. 

We offer Attack Simulation Training, a service that simulates realistic cyberattacks on your network and provides feedback and guidance on how to improve your security posture. With our service, you can test your employees’ awareness, identify vulnerabilities, and strengthen your defences against malware. Don’t let spam and phishing emails ruin your business.

You can learn more about Attack Simulation Training here

Remember, always be vigilant and careful when opening emails from unknown sources. Protect yourself and your data from cybercriminals.