How to identify, prevent, and report phishing emails and protect organizational email systems.
Email is one of the most common attack vectors used by cybercriminals. Phishing attacks rely on deception rather than technical hacking to trick users into revealing sensitive information or performing unsafe actions. Understanding how to recognize and respond to suspicious emails is critical to protecting organizational security.Why It Matters?
Phishing attacks are used to:- Steal usernames, passwords, and MFA codes
- Deliver malware and ransomware
- Impersonate executives, vendors, or IT teams
- Gain access to internal systems and data
Common Phishing Techniques
- Fake login pages or password reset requests
- Urgent or threatening messages
- Impersonation of trusted senders
- Unexpected attachments or links
- Requests for payments, gift cards, or sensitive data
How to Identify Phishing Emails
Warning Signs
- Generic greetings (e.g., “Dear User”)
- Misspellings or poor grammar
- Suspicious sender addresses
- Mismatched or shortened links
- Unexpected attachments
Email Security Best Practices
Do’s
- Verify the sender before responding
- Hover over links to check destinations
- Use strong, unique passwords and MFA
- Report suspicious emails immediately
- Follow company email usage policies
Don’t
- Click links from unknown or unexpected senders
- Open attachments you weren’t expecting
- Share passwords or one-time passcodes
- Respond to urgent requests without verification
- Forward suspicious emails to others
Reporting Phishing Emails
If you suspect a phishing email:- Do not click links or open attachments
- Report it using your company’s reporting process
- Delete the email after reporting
Real-World Example
An employee receives an email claiming to be from IT requesting a password reset. The link leads to a fake login page that captures credentials. ➡️ Attackers gain access without hacking any systems.Key Takeaway
Email security depends on awareness and caution.When in doubt, don’t click — verify and report.