Phishing is a common internet scam in which emails that appear to come from reputable companies compel users to enter sensitive personal information. These scams result in millions of dollars in losses every year. Given that most people use both personal and business computers, it's important to minimize your risk as much as possible and know how to distinguish between fake and legitimate emails. Here are a few ways to tell the difference.

3 Ways to Check an Email's Validity 

1. Sender Address

The sender address field is the first place to look when investigating the legitimacy of any email. A real email will come from the web address of the company purporting to be the sender. But, below this field, you will find some more helpful information. Check out the mailed-by and signed-by fields; these too should show the web address of the company claiming to be the sender. If there is a mismatch among any of these entries, the sender is likely not who they say they are.

2. Link Destinations

The whole point of phishing is to get you to click a link, go to the scammer's site, and enter your private information, like login credentials or account or credit card numbers. Whether you're on a personal or business computer, never click on a link without confirming its destination. Any link will display its destination when you hover the cursor over the underscored text. In the lower part of the screen, a small popup box will display the address you will be taken to if you click on the link. Confirm that the address is the website of the company purporting to send the email.

3. Content

Scammers have become adept at adopting the look of the companies they claim to be, but you can still sometimes tell a real email from a fake one by closely inspecting the content. Read the text carefully and examine the images closely. If the email does not use the same language or graphics of the company they are masquerading as, the source is not to be trusted.

By bearing these pointers in mind, you are enhancing the security of a personal or business computer and protecting your personal data. Microworx offers cybersecurity services like virus protection and malware removal. With more than 25 years of industry experience, they serve the Rochester, NY, area. They also offer computer networking, repairs, and upgrades, as well as managed IT services. Call (585) 271-0050 to request a quote or visit their website to explore their solutions.