Protect Your Inbox: How to Spot and Avoid Suspicious Emails with KnowBe4

As a web3 developer, you’re probably used to receiving emails from various sources, including job offers, clients, vendors, and more. However, not all emails are created equal, and some of them can be dangerous. In fact, according to a study by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), 91% of cyberattacks start with phishing emails.

To help you protect your inbox from these malicious attacks, we’ve partnered with KnowBe4, a leading security awareness training platform that provides users with interactive and engaging educational modules on how to recognize and avoid suspicious emails. In this article, we’ll cover some of the most common types of phishing emails and provide you with actionable tips on how to identify and avoid them.

Types of Phishing Emails

There are many different types of phishing emails that you may receive, including:

1. Malware emails: These emails contain malicious code or links that can infect your computer with viruses, worms, trojans, and other malware. They often use fake logos and sender names to trick you into clicking on them.
2. Phishing scams: These emails are designed to steal your personal information, such as login credentials, credit card numbers, and social security numbers. They may also ask you to send money or wire funds to a fake account.
3. Spear phishing emails: These targeted emails are sent to specific individuals or groups based on their job title, location, or other relevant information. They often use personalized information to create a sense of urgency and trustworthiness.
4. Whaling emails: These highly targeted emails are sent to senior executives or high-level decision makers within an organization. They often ask for sensitive information or request large sums of money to be transferred to a fake account.

How to Spot Suspicious Emails

Now that you know the most common types of phishing emails, let’s talk about how to spot them. Here are some red flags to look out for:

1. Urgent or threatening language: Phishing emails often use urgent or threatening language to create a sense of urgency and compel you to take immediate action. Don’t be fooled by these tactics.
2. Suspicious links or attachments: If an email contains a link or attachment that you weren’t expecting, it could be a sign of a phishing attempt. Hover over the link with your mouse to see if the URL matches the sender’s email address.
3. Request for sensitive information: Phishing emails often ask for personal information, such as login credentials, credit card numbers, and social security numbers. Be wary of any email that asks you to provide this information.
4. Missing branding or logos: If an email lacks the sender’s logo or branding, it could be a sign that the email is fake. Always verify the sender’s identity before clicking on links or downloading attachments.
5. Misleading sender names or email addresses: Phishing emails often use fake sender names or email addresses to trick you into thinking they are from someone else. Verify the sender’s identity by hovering over their email address with your mouse.

How to Avoid Suspicious Emails

Now that you know how to spot suspicious emails, let’s talk about how to avoid them. Here are some best practices to follow:

1. Verify the sender’s identity: Always verify the sender’s identity before clicking on links or downloading attachments. Look for their logo and branding, and hover over their email address with your mouse to see if it matches the sender’s name.
2. Use caution when clicking on links: Be cautious when clicking on links in emails, especially if they are unfamiliar to you. Hover over the link with your mouse to see if the URL matches the sender’s email address.
3. Don’t share sensitive information: Never share sensitive information via email, including login credentials, credit card numbers, and social security numbers.
4. Use a spam filter: Use a spam filter to block suspicious emails from reaching your inbox. This can help prevent phishing attempts from even reaching you in the first place.
5. Take regular security training: Finally, take regular security training to educate yourself on how to spot and avoid phishing emails. KnowBe4’s interactive and engaging educational modules are a great way to do this.

Conclusion

Phishing emails can be dangerous if you don’t know how to recognize and avoid them