Published by Michael Ferig
Phishing emails are fake emails sent by cybercriminals pretending to be from trusted organizations like banks, online stores, or even your email provider. These emails are designed to trick you into giving up personal information, such as passwords or credit card details, or to download harmful software. If you’ve ever wondered, “How can I know if this email is fake?”, don’t worry! You don’t need to be a tech expert. This guide will walk you through how to check emails using free tools and simple steps.
Step 1: Analyze the Content for Common Phishing Signs
The first thing you should do when you receive an email is to check it carefully for anything suspicious.
Look for spelling and grammar mistakes: Legitimate companies take their communication seriously. If the email has errors, it’s a red flag.
Beware of urgency: Phrases like “Your account will be closed in 24 hours!” or “Click here now to secure your account!” are designed to make you panic and act quickly without thinking.
Suspicious links or attachments: If the email asks you to click on a link or download something unexpected, pause! These could be harmful.
Generic greetings: Emails that start with “Dear customer” or “Hello user” instead of your name might not be legitimate.
Too good to be true: If the email says you’ve won a prize you didn’t enter for, it’s probably a scam.
Step 2: Check the Sender’s Email Address
The next step is to verify who sent the email. Sometimes, phishing emails use email addresses that look real but have slight differences.
Hover over the sender’s name: On most email platforms, like Gmail, you can hover over the sender’s name to see their full email address. For example, if the email says it’s from Google but the address is support@googl-email.com, it’s fake.
Free tools to check the sender’s domain: Use a free tool like MXToolbox to check if the domain (the part after the @) is legitimate. For example, you can enter gmail.com to see if it’s a real email server.
Step 3: Test the Links Without Clicking
Phishing emails often include links that look like they go to a trusted website but actually take you somewhere malicious. Here’s how to check safely:
Hover over the link: Move your mouse over any link in the email without clicking. This will show you the real URL. For example, if the link says www.gmail.com but hovering reveals www.fakegmail.com, don’t click it.
Check the link with a free tool: Copy the link (right-click and choose “Copy Link Address”) and paste it into a URL scanner like VirusTotal to see if it’s safe.
Step 4: Use Free Online Tools to Analyze the Email
If you’re still unsure, you can use free online tools to dig deeper into the email’s details.
Check the sender’s domain: Use MXToolbox to verify if the domain matches the real company. For example:
Enter gmail.com into MXToolbox to confirm it’s a legitimate email provider.
If the sender’s domain looks odd, it’s a red flag.
Scan suspicious attachments: If the email has an attachment, don’t open it immediately. Use a tool like VirusTotal to scan the file for viruses.
Analyze the email headers: Email headers show the technical details of how the email was sent. Many online tools, like MailHeaderAnalyzer, let you paste in the headers and check for signs of phishing.
Step 5: Confirm with the Sender
If you’re still unsure, the simplest thing to do is ask the sender directly.
Don’t reply to the email: Instead, use the company’s official website or contact information to reach out. For example:
If you get an email from "Google," visit google.com and find their official support page.
Call or email the company to confirm whether they sent you the message.
For personal emails: If the email is from someone you know but seems strange, call or message them to verify.
Step 6: Report the Email
If you’ve identified the email as phishing, don’t just delete it—report it! This helps email providers block similar emails in the future.
Use the “Report Phishing” option: In Gmail, click the three dots in the top-right corner of the email and choose “Report Phishing.”
Forward it to the real company: Many companies have an email address like phishing@company.com where you can send suspected phishing emails.
Stay Safe Online
By following these steps, you’ll be much better equipped to handle suspicious emails. Remember, phishing emails rely on catching you off guard, so take your time and think before you click! With free tools like MXToolbox and VirusTotal, you can protect yourself without needing technical expertise. Stay vigilant and keep your personal information safe.
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