Remember when phishing emails were full of typos, weird logos, and promises from a “Nigerian prince”? Unfortunately, those days are long gone. Today’s phishing scams look polished, professional, and alarmingly real — which makes them harder to spot and more dangerous than ever.
But don’t worry: with a few simple tips, you can learn to spot phishing attempts before they cause damage.
Why Phishing Is So Effective
They play on urgency. “Your account will be closed in 24 hours!”
They impersonate brands you trust. Microsoft, Google, banks, even delivery companies.
They target everyone. From home users to small businesses, nobody is too small to be a target.
Red Flags to Watch For
Suspicious Links
Hover over links before you click. If the web address looks odd or doesn’t match the sender, don’t touch it.
Strange Senders
Emails that look like they’re from your bank or IT provider, but the email address is slightly off.
Urgent Requests
Anything pushing you to “act now” — reset your password, transfer money, or open an attachment.
Attachments You Didn’t Expect
PDFs, Word docs, or ZIP files from unknown senders are a big red flag.
How to Protect Yourself
Think before you click. Slow down, even if the email looks convincing.
Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA). Even if someone steals your password, MFA helps block access.
Report phishing. Don’t just delete suspicious emails — report them to your IT provider or email service.
Train your team. For small businesses, regular phishing awareness training can save you from expensive mistakes.
Wrap-Up
Phishing emails are getting smarter, but so can you. By learning to spot the warning signs and putting a few defenses in place, you’ll avoid being tricked by even the most convincing scams.
Want a simple phishing awareness session for your team or help locking down your email accounts? Contact us today
— we’ll make sure you stay one step ahead of scammers.