GOOGLE has issued important advice on how to spot a dangerous type of cyberattack.
These sinister attempts to steal your money or private info often come via email.
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The “phishing” attacks aren’t a new phenomenon – but they’re now extremely common and convincing.
They work through impersonation, with criminals tricking you into giving up money or info – rather than taking it by brute force.
“Phishing is typically done through email, ads, or by sites that look similar to sites you already use,” Google explained.
“For example, you might get an email that looks like it’s from your bank asking you to confirm your bank account number.”
There are clear warning signs that an email is a phishing attack.
They’ll often ask for very personal information, which is a major red flag.
Most businesses usually have a policy of avoiding asking for information over email – in a bid to tackle phishing.
“Be careful anytime you receive a message from a site asking for personal information,” Google.
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“If you get this type of message, don’t provide the information requested without confirming that the site is legitimate.
“If possible, open the site in another window instead of clicking the link in your email.”
The phishing emails may even appear to come from Google itself.
But Google noted that it never sends unsolicited messages asking for your password or other personal info.
Common tactics include adding scary warnings or deadlines to emails – to rush you into making a mistake.
The main aim is to typically defraud or extort you, break into your accounts, or install malware on your machine.
And ultimately these are tricks designed to steal your money – to make it worth the effort for criminals.
It’s important to be highly sceptical of any emails asking for personal info.
If you’re unsure about a request, it’s best to contact the company directly through the phone number on their official website or app.
That way you can be sure you’re talking to someone from the right place.
