1.-Don’t trust the display name
On an phishing email, the sender’s email display name may look right, but the actual email address won’t. The email may look something like this:
Esteban Cruz <ecruz@secure.com> OR
Amazon <orders@amazon1.com>
The name may be correct, but the email address looks suspicious because the domain is not genuine. In the first example the domain name should be llcc.edu not secure.com; on the second one, the domain name should be amazon.com, not amazon1.com.
This fraudulent email, once delivered, appears legitimate because most user inboxes only present the display name. Don’t trust the display name. Check the email address in the header from—if it looks suspicious, don’t open the email and forward it to phishing@llcc.edu
2.- Look but don’t click
Hover your mouse over any links embedded in the body of the email. If the link address looks weird, don’t click on it. If you want to test the link, open a new window and type in website address directly rather than clicking on the link from unsolicited emails.
3.- Check for spelling mistakes
Brands are pretty serious about email. Legitimate messages usually do not have major spelling mistakes or poor grammar. Read your emails carefully.
4.- Analyze the salutation
Is the email addressed to a vague “Valued Customer?” If so, watch out—legitimate businesses will often use a personal salutation with your first and last name.
5.- Don’t give up personal information
Legitimate banks and most other companies will never ask for personal credentials via email. Don’t give them up. Also LLCC including the IT Help Desk will never ask you for your Login Name and Password or any other personal information.
6.- Beware of urgent or threatening language in the subject line
Invoking a sense of urgency or fear is a common phishing tactic. Beware of subject lines that claim your “account has been suspended”, your account had an “unauthorized login attempt or "your email is over its storage limit".”
7.- Review the signature
Lack of details about the signer or how you can contact a company strongly suggests a phish. Legitimate businesses always provide contact details.
8.- Don’t click on attachments
Including malicious attachments that contain viruses and malware is a common phishing tactic. Malware can damage files on your computer, steal your passwords or spy on you without your knowledge. Don’t open any email attachments you weren’t expecting.
9.- Don’t believe everything you see
Phishers are extremely good at what they do. Just because an email has convincing brand logos, language, and a seemingly valid email address, does not mean that it’s legitimate. Be skeptical when it comes to your email messages—if it looks even remotely suspicious, don’t open it and forward it to phishing@llcc.edu