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How to Spot a Phishing Email
Summary:
Phishing emails try to trick you into giving up personal information — like passwords, bank details, or Social Security numbers — by pretending to be from a trusted source.
How to recognize a phishing email:
- Urgent or threatening language: “Your account will be suspended,” “You’ve won a gift card,” or “Immediate action required.”
- Generic greetings: “Dear Student” or “Hello user” instead of using your name.
- Suspicious links: Hover over links before clicking. If the address looks strange (e.g.,
login.yourschool.verify.ru) — don’t click.
- Unexpected attachments: These can install malware on your device.
- Sender looks close, but not quite right: Example:
admin@support-student.com vs. your actual school domain.
Common scams targeting students:
- Fake job offers or internships
- “Part-time assistant” roles that ask for personal banking info
- Messages claiming to be from the IT department asking you to "verify your account"
What to do if you suspect phishing:
- Don’t click links or download files.
- Don’t reply or provide any info.
- Delete the message after reporting.