Phishing Email ID

14 items · Technical · Easy difficulty · 15 min

Quick, actionable steps to spot and report phishing emails.

• Inspect sender address

  Compare the display name with the actual email address and watch for misspelled domains.

• Check reply-to address and headers

  View full headers to see the true sending server if the address looks odd.

• Look for generic greetings and unexpected tone

  Be suspicious of vague salutations or messages you weren't expecting.

• Examine links and domains

  Do not click links; inspect the full domain and path for subtle typos or extra words.

• Hover links to reveal the URL

  On desktop, hover; on mobile, long-press to preview. Never tap if the preview looks suspicious.

• Copy link and paste into a text editor or safe browser tab

  Check for extra characters, subdomains, or misleading paths before visiting.

• Handle attachments cautiously

  Treat unexpected attachments as unsafe, especially .exe, .zip, .scr, or Office files with macros.

• Scan attachments with antivirus or upload to an online scanner

  Use your security tools or services like VirusTotal before opening files.

• Avoid enabling macros or running executables

  Never enable macros or run downloaded programs from unverified emails.

• Verify requests for credentials or money through known channels

  Contact the sender using official phone numbers or website contact forms, not reply.

• Watch for urgency and fear-based language

  Phishers pressure you to act now; treat time-sensitive threats as suspicious.

• Confirm unexpected or unusual messages with the sender

  Use a separate trusted contact method to validate the request.

• Report the phishing email to IT, security team, or provider

  Include full headers and the original message when possible.

• Mark the message as phishing, block sender, and delete the email

  Quarantine the message to prevent further exposure and remove it from your inbox.

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