Protecting Yourself from Phishing

Never Share the Following Information via Text, Email, or Messaging Apps

🔐 Verification codes sent to your phone or email
🔑 Passwords or passcodes
🆔 ID details like government numbers or driver’s licenses
📸 Personal photos
🏦 Bank or payment information

❗ Reminder: Legitimate companies will never ask for this information through messages, phone calls, or emails.

🔐 Best Practices to Stay Safe

🚫 Never let anyone use or access your accounts or devices

🔑 Use a unique password for each online account

♻️ Avoid reusing passwords across platforms or services

📚 The Best Defense Against Phishing Is Education

Phishing techniques evolve, but your best protection is to stay informed and aware.

How?

✅ Take awareness courses (like this one)
📰 Read trusted cybersecurity blogs and updates
🎧 Listen to podcasts or watch educational videos
💬 Stay curious and share what you learn with others

💡 Knowledge is your first line of defense. The more you know, the harder you are to fool.

🔗 Don’t Trust the Text — Check the Link

Phishers love hiding dangerous links under innocent-sounding text like:

“Click here to update your payment info”

🖱️ Hover your mouse over the link (but don’t click!)
Your browser will show the real URL — if it looks strange, unfamiliar, or has weird spelling, don’t go there.

💡 Pro Tip: I always type the website address directly into my browser instead of clicking links in emails or texts.

🔐 Simple Habits to Stay Cyber Safe

Keep Devices Updated
🔄 Updates fix known security bugs — enable automatic updates on phones, computers, and browsers.
Use Strong, Unique Passwords
🔑 Never reuse passwords. Use a password manager to create and remember secure ones.
Turn On 2-Factor Authentication (2FA)
🔐 Even if your password is stolen, 2FA keeps attackers out using a second step like a code or fingerprint.

Learn More 🔍

The best way to protect yourself from phishing is through ongoing education. Phishing techniques are constantly evolving, which means continuous learning is essential to stay ahead of new threats. Free tools like Google’s Phishing Quiz, online cybersecurity awareness courses, and educational podcasts or videos from trusted sources are great ways to sharpen your skills. Reading real-world case studies of successful attacks also helps you recognize the warning signs in your inbox. In phishing prevention, knowledge isn’t just your first line of defense; it’s your foundation for spotting threats before they escalate.

One of the most important habits you can build is to hover your mouse over any link before clicking. This lets you preview the URL and decide whether it's safe. Phishers often hide malicious websites behind misleading text like “Click here to verify your account” or “Update your billing info.” If the preview shows a suspicious URL, with unusual characters, numbers in place of letters, or misspelled brand names, it’s likely a scam. According to Proofpoint (2023), malicious links remain the most common method for phishing emails and text messages.

Practicing basic cybersecurity habits can significantly reduce your risk of falling victim to phishing. Keep your software, browser, and operating systems updated regularly to patch known vulnerabilities. Use strong, unique passwords for every account and avoid reusing them across services. A password manager can help you store and generate secure passwords safely. Most importantly, turn on multi-factor authentication (MFA) whenever possible. MFA adds an extra layer of security, like a text message code or fingerprint scan, that can block an attacker even if they have your password.

References

Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). (2022). Avoiding Social Engineering and Phishing Attacks. Retrieved from https://www.cisa.gov/news-events/news/avoiding-social-engineering-and-phishing-attacks
Federal Trade Commission (FTC). (2023). How to Recognize and Avoid Phishing Scams. Retrieved from https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/how-recognize-and-avoid-phishing-scams
Google. (n.d.). Phishing Quiz. Retrieved from https://phishingquiz.withgoogle.com/
National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). (2022). Cybersecurity Framework. Retrieved from https://www.nist.gov/cyberframework
Norton. (2023). Top 10 Tips to Prevent Phishing Attacks. Retrieved from https://us.norton.com/blog/emerging-threats/phishing
Proofpoint. (2023). State of the Phish Report. Retrieved from https://www.proofpoint.com/us/resources/threat-reports/state-of-phish

🤖 Let the Tech Do Some of the Heavy Lifting

📥 Spam & Junk Filters
Quietly catch most phishing emails and move them out of your inbox.
🛡️ Email Gateways
Scan incoming and outgoing emails to block malware and suspicious content.
🧪 VirusTotal & Hybrid Analysis
Unsure about a file or link? Scan it safely — but never upload private data. These are public tools.
🔗 URL Wrapping & Sandboxing
Some email systems automatically “wrap” and scan links before you open them.

💡 Reminder: Technology helps, but your judgment is still your best defense.

🧠 Everyone’s Risk Level Is Different

Ask yourself:

📱 Do I get a lot of scam texts?
👉 Turn on spam filters for SMS or try mobile security apps like Norton, Lookout, or Google Messages’ built-in protection.
📞 Do I get constant unknown calls?
👉 Block unknown callers in your phone settings (iOS & Android) or use call screening tools.
📧 Do I get daily junk emails?
👉 Strengthen your email filters or rely on services like Gmail, Outlook, or ProtonMail with built-in phishing protection.

💬 Tip: Customize your defenses based on how scammers usually target you.

🔄 Don’t Ignore the “Update Available” Message

Every time you see that little “update available” alert, it’s your system trying to protect you.

Why it matters:

🔐 Most updates include critical security patches.
🛡️ They fix known bugs that attackers can exploit.
⚙️ Updates keep your device running safely and smoothly.

💡 Don’t wait! Update today — not next week.

Learn More 🔍

You don’t need to fight phishing alone. Smart technologies can help detect and block phishing attempts automatically. Email services like Gmail and Outlook use built-in filters to identify and quarantine suspicious emails. Web browsers such as Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge often display warnings when you try to visit a known phishing site. You can also install browser extensions or endpoint protection software that scans links in real time, blocks fake login pages, and alerts you to scams. According to the Norton Cyber Safety Insights Report (2023), enabling these protections can prevent over 80% of common phishing threats before they cause harm.

Not all users face the same risks, so it’s important to customize your defenses based on how and where you work. For instance, someone who gets frequent delivery emails or uses social media for work is more likely to receive targeted smishing or social media phishing attacks. Think about your habits: Do you get scam texts? Are attackers spoofing your company’s domain? Adjust your spam filters, social media privacy settings, and mobile security options accordingly. Many mobile devices, especially Android phones, include features that scan links in messages or block unverified apps. Gmail and similar services also use AI-based systems that learn from your communication patterns to better detect unusual activity.

Delaying system updates leaves you exposed to known security flaws. When your phone, computer, or apps prompt you to update, it usually means a security patch fixes a vulnerability that attackers exploit. These updates are based on real-world data discovered by cybersecurity researchers or after real breaches. According to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), outdated software is one of the leading causes of successful cyberattacks. To stay protected, make it a habit to check for updates regularly, or even better, turn on automatic updates to ensure you’re always running the latest, most secure version of your system.

References

Norton. (2023). Cyber Safety Insights Report. Retrieved from: https://us.norton.com
National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). (2022). Cybersecurity Framework. Retrieved from: https://www.nist.gov/cyberframework
Google. (2023). Safe Browsing Technology. Retrieved from: https://safebrowsing.google.com
Microsoft. (2023). Protecting Against Phishing in Microsoft 365. Retrieved from: https://learn.microsoft.com

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