How to identify phishing emails and other digital spam

Avoiding spam is difficult - here's how you can stay ahead of the curve.

As internet traffic has grown, so have cyber security threats like phishing emails and spam. While spam is certainly annoying (and sometimes dangerous), the good news is that it is recognizable.

Click the "play" button on the recording above to learn about key indicators for identifying spam.

If you're interested in sharing this information with your team or keeping these tips at the top of your mind, be sure to download the slides used during this webinar - they're free to use and pass along to whomever you'd like! :)

1

Steps to stay safe

It's not often that someone simply hands over information to criminals. Most of the time, private information is obtained through deception.

If something doesn't seem quite right when communicating electronically, follow these three rules of thumb:

1. Stop. Slow down. There is always time to check details. Sometimes, all you need is an extra 30 seconds to realize what you're seeing is dubious.

2. Don't Click Anything. Clicking links or attachments to "learn more" is very risky. Don't click any links "just to see" what they might be.

3. Confirm Before you Affirm. You can always use another form of communication to confirm legitimacy.

2

Ask questions and check details

Don't be afraid to question the nature or details of any message you receive. Here are a few things you can do in order to determine if a communication is fake or not.

Ask yourself: Do I know this person? Does it make sense that I am being contacted about this topic, in this manner? Am I being asked to do something unusual or only use email to contact them?

Small details matter: Is the sender's email address correct? Can you preview any links (pictured below) before clicking? Is there a strange sense of urgency or a possible made up emergency?

Hover to preview: Most browsers will show you a preview of any link before you click, ensuring safe browsing for all.

3

Protect your passwords

Passwords are one of the most sought-after pieces of information criminals are looking to steal. Keeping a list of passwords in an insecure spot or using the same password for every online account is poor practice and allows easy access to your most secure information.

Using software to create, manage and protect your login information (i.e., your usernames, passwords, and other relevant info) is a simple way that you can stay diligent about digital account security. Browser-based password managers found in Chrome and Firefox are fine for personal use, however, they lack features that other enterprise solutions offer.

Password managers such as LastPass and 1Password offer the ability to share account login information across entire teams of people, which churches and schools may find useful. They are also equipped to send notifications if a conflict arises between passwords, or a security breach has occurred within one or more of your accounts.

Don't wait to make these changes. Better protection of your passwords now could save you a big headache down the road.

4

Prepare for the future

When it comes to professional support and education about phishing and spam, there's always more to learn. To stay ahead of the curve, consider a few of the options listed below to help train you and everyone on your team:

Know your partners: Work with U.S. based companies when outsourcing software protection.

Never stop learning: Seek out training or education from a professional cyber security team.

Open the conversation: Discuss the consequences of spam/ransomware with your staff.

Finally, if you're looking for more information, check out the eCatholic Vlogcast episode where our team discusses common cybersecurity mistakes and how to avoid them!

Spam and phishing emails are no fun, but the more knowledge you have about them, the safer you and your team will be. And remember, the eCatholic team has your back. So if you need additional help identifying any questionable digital correspondence, please reach out. We'd love to support you in any way that we can!
 

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