Around 1.2% of all emails sent contain some form of malicious content. While this may not sound like a lot, that translates into 3.4 billion email scams being sent each day.
Learning how to spot and avoid email scams can offer you significant protection against cyber threats. Alongside this, you also need to ensure you have robust cyber security in place to minimise the likelihood of becoming a victim of cybercrime.
ne of the first steps you can take to educate yourself on email scams is to differentiate between the three main types. This not only helps to protect you but can also allow you to spot whether the cybercrime is randomised, or you may be facing a more targeted attack.
Generally, any email scams you receive this year may be:
Scams claiming to come from the government and HMRC use several tactics to fool victims into believing they are legitimate. Often, they will use imagery, such as logos, that may be found in genuine communications.
These email scams may contain messages that sound urgent, including mentions of fines or legal action if you do not obey. Any links found in these emails may take you to webpages that, again, look legitimate using imagery and similar wording.
These will often attempt to gain either information or payment, frightening the recipient into ceding to any demands in fear of repercussions.
Should you receive an email claiming to be from the government or tax office, you should first contact them, ideally over the phone, using information you know to be accurate. Not only will this allow you to find out if the communication was valid, but it also alerts these organisations to email scams and cybercrime that is currently taking place.
Another common type of email scams is those that appear to come from Royal Mail or other delivery companies. As with governmental emails, Royal Mail scams will also deceive the recipient using logos and imagery often associated with the genuine company.
These emails will usually advise that a package couldn’t be delivered due to postage errors and ask you to make up the difference. However, should you enter any payment details you may find that more money is taken than what was stated on the email.
Alternatively, delivery scams may be used to harvest personal information from you, which could then be used against you later.
Never download any attachments from these emails. While the file may claim to be about the issue or package, it might contain malicious software that could infiltrate your network and cause serious damage.
The email addresses used for cybercrime may easily blend in with others you see throughout the day. Sadly, scam emails won’t ever be too obvious. You won’t receive an email from [email protected], for example. Therefore, it is up to you to be vigilant about who you communicate with, what you click, and any files you download.
One of the most frightening and alarming types of email scams can be email spoofing. While the content may be like other scams, the sender address may appear to be someone you know, or even your own email address. This can result in a lot of panic about how a hacker could have accessed your account. Thankfully, it is unlikely that your email account has actually been compromised.
Instead, this form of cybercrime utilises email spoofing which forges the sent email address by changing the syntax. Either the display name, email address, or both may be spoofed.
Protecting your business from email scams and cybercrime should be your top priority for 2024.
To do so, it is advisable that you:
Doing so could help you to avoid becoming another cybercrime statistic this year.
Anne-Marie Blazdell
Anne-Marie is Syn-Star’s dedicated Marketing Manager. Her drive for success is matched only by her compassion for the team. Always on hand with useful insights, she is a warm character who is valued by her department.
Qualifications: BA (hons) Graphic Design
In-house training: HubSpot SEO, Sales, Adobe Suite
Favourite movie: Love Actually
Favourite artist: Eminem
Favourite food: Gü Cheesecake
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Anne-Marie Blazdell
Anne-Marie is Syn-Star’s dedicated Marketing Manager. Her drive for success is matched only by her compassion for the team. Always on hand with useful insights, she is a warm character who is valued by her department.
Qualifications: BA (hons) Graphic Design
In-house training: HubSpot SEO, Sales, Adobe Suite
Favourite movie: Love Actually
Favourite artist: ABBA
Favourite food: Gü Cheesecake
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