There are several ways to protect yourself from phishing scams, but the method you choose should apply to the specific problem you may face. So, we have divided the prevention tips for phishing into several categories:
When You Receive a Suspicious Mail
If you have received suspicious mail, protect yourself by taking the following measures:
- Avoid clicking any link.
- Do not reply to the mail.
- Avoid opening any attachments.
- Do not enter your credentials, personal data, password or other details.
- Delete the message.
- Report it as a suspicious message.
When You Have Responded to a Suspicious Message
If you have responded to a suspicious message, follow these steps to save yourself from any scam:
- Contact the concerned financial institution whose information you have given, like a bank.
- Report the activity to the security or fraud department.
- File a report with the police.
- Change the passwords of all your online accounts.
Security Practices for Protection
Even if you have not got any mail, call or message, it is best to stay protected by following these below security practices:
- Install an antivirus on your computer to run a full virus scan monthly.
- Set a unique password for every online account you have.
- Make sure all of your software is updated.
- Keep the version of your device’s operating system updated.
- Avoid ‘jail-breaking’ your smartphone.
- Store sensitive and institutional information in approved storage applications only.
Phishing scams have become more common than ever, and many cybercriminals are waiting to get a chance to hack your private data. So, it is important to identify the ways they can approach you, their techniques to hack your account, and how you can dodge these dangers. Thus, in the above sections, we have provided all of this information briefly to help you stay updated and protected.