Phishing is a social engineering attack where cybercriminals trick people into sharing sensitive information such as login credentials or credit card numbers. While the primary form of phishing is email communication, it can also be carried out through text messaging, phone calls, or websites.

Identifying a phishing email can be difficult, but here are 5 checks for common signs of phishing:

1. Sender's Email Address: Verify that the sender's email address is legitimate and matches the organization's domain. Emails concerning your Gmail account should always come from an “@google.com” account
2. Urgent Tone: Phishing emails often use urgent language or threats to pressure you into taking immediate action. Legitimate organizations typically communicate in a more professional and less urgent manner.
3. Suspicious Links or Attachments: Hover your mouse over links to check the actual URL destination in the lower left corner of your browser. Avoid clicking on links or downloading attachments from unknown senders or suspicious emails.
4. Generic Greetings: Phishers often use generic greetings like “Dear User” or “Dear Customer” instead of addressing you by name.
5. Poor Grammar and Spelling: Phishing emails may contain grammatical errors or typos, as they are often written by non-native speakers or automated tools. Look for non-traditional spellings like “Centre” instead of “Center’.