Phishing is a form of cybercrime that targets individuals and organisations to obtain sensitive information such as usernames, passwords, and credit card details. The attackers usually pose as a legitimate entity, such as a bank, a social media site, or an e-commerce site, and trick the victim into providing their personal information. In this article, we will discuss what phishing is and how to avoid it.
What is phishing?
Phishing is a technique used by cybercriminals to steal sensitive information from individuals and organisations. Attackers use different methods to trick the victim into revealing their personal information, including:
- Email phishing: Attackers send an email that appears to be from a legitimate organiszation, asking the victim to provide their personal information.
- Smishing: Attackers use text messages to trick the victim into clicking on a malicious link or giving away their personal information.
- Vishing: Attackers use voice calls to pose as a legitimate organiszation and trick the victim into giving away their personal information.
How to avoid phishing
To avoid falling victim to phishing attacks, you need to take the following measures:
- Be vigilant of suspicious emails: Be cautious of emails that request personal information, especially if they come from unknown sources. Check the sender's email address, and verify that it matches Wirex’s official email address; we only send emails from @wirexapp.com domain. Also, be wary of emails with urgent requests or that offer deals that are too –good –to –be true.
- Don't click on suspicious links: Be careful when clicking on links in emails, especially if they are from unknown sources. Hover over the link to see the URL, and verify that it leads to a legitimate website. Also, avoid downloading attachments from suspicious emails.
- Use strong passwords: Use unique passwords for different accounts, and avoid using personal information such as your name or date of birth. Also, use a combination of upper and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters.
- Use two-factor authentication: Two-factor authentication provides an extra layer of security for your accounts. It requires you to provide a second form of authentication, such as a code sent to your phone or email, to access your account.
- Keep your software updated: Keep your software, including your operating system and anti-virus software, updated to ensure that you have the latest security patches.
- Be cautious of public Wi-Fi: Public Wi-Fi networks are not secure, and attackers can use them to intercept your personal information. Avoid accessing sensitive information, such as banking information, while using public Wi-Fi.
In conclusion, phishing is a serious threat to individuals and organisations, and it's important to take measures to protect yourself. By being vigilant of suspicious emails, avoiding clicking on suspicious links, using strong passwords and two-factor authentication, keeping your software updated, and being cautious of public Wi-Fi, you can protect yourself from phishing attacks.