Email Safety Information
January 02, 2025Email also known as electronic mail, plays a fairly big important in the modern world, especially if you are in business. Clients and friends email, banks and many service providers require email accounts also.
But it is not a secret that an email can be used as means of infecting a computer and/or stealing information. So how do we sort out the fact if a specific email is safe to open or may be malicious? Determine if it is authentic.
Is the email authentic?
The first step in determening if the email is authentic is frankly common sense. Ask yourself if the email is expected, is it from someone you know or a business you've dealt with. For example if you haven't ordered anything in 4 weeks but you are getting a shipment confirmation email from UPS, then most likely that email is fake and malicious.
However even if the email seems legit it may still be fake and malicious. People fake the way emails look to mimic banks, shipping centers, stores, social media sites and even single people. Links inside can take you to a totally different website then what the email link promises, or even to a clone of the website that will steal your information. Always look at the link website by first not clicking on it but rather putting the mouse cursor over to see where the link goes, a small popup will show the full link, make sure it is legit. For example if we are talking UPS, make sure the link goes to ups.com, however if it goes to ups.com.myshipco.com or upscom.usaship.com then it is fake. Malicous emails can also mimic the link to a fake website, because if they simply put istealyourinfo.com people are not likely to click on that, but if they put ups.uspship.com then many may not notice it, so look closely.
Also always check the sender From email address to make sure that is legit, although that can be faked also, so most important to note what you click on.
Better Safe then Sorry
The general rule is if you are not expecting an email do not open it or more importantly any links. Attachments can also be malicious so be careful when opening attachments. If unsure, do not click on any links, but call the person or the company to confirm it is their email then open it if needed. If having trouble determining and you are a New Level Designs client you may reach out to us for assistance.
