Attackers still make mistakes. By learning to recognize the common anatomy of a phishing email, you can stop 99% of attacks.
5 Red Flags
Mismatched Sender: 'Microsoft Support' sent from @gmail.com?
The Hover Test: Hover over links to see the real URL before clicking.
Urgency: 'Act now or be deleted!' Fear bypasses logic.
Generic Greetings: 'Dear Customer' instead of your name.
Dangerous Attachments: Unsolicited ZIP files or 'Enable Macros' requests.
The Golden Rule
Trust but Verify. If an email seems important but odd, contact the sender through a known, trusted channel (like their official phone number) to confirm.
Key Takeaway
"The most effective tool against phishing isn't software—it's your gut instinct. If it feels off, report it."
