Cybercriminals are striking again with a new phishing scam that tricks you into clicking images that look like invoices, receipts, and other documents. They are not legitimate and contain links that can install malware on your device that can compromise your security and privacy.
How do hackers trick you into clicking images in emails?
The new trend is send fake delivery notificationswarns that the package cannot be delivered for an unknown reason.
This email is entirely an image and contains a link asking you to enter your address in order to resolve the issue.
A quick glance at the message can make it difficult to tell if it’s a scam. And considering the number of packages people order and receive each day, it’s understandable why so many fall for this scam.
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Check sender email addresses like a detective
If you have recently received an email claiming to be from a large parcel delivery company such as FedEx, please check the sender’s email carefully.
You can easily find the real email addresses of these companies using a reliable search engine. If the email you receive doesn’t match that address, you know it’s likely a scam.
For example, the phishing email we received below should be from FedEx, but the sender’s email address shows “@facientuantulate.com”.
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An example of a fake email using the sender’s email address. (CyberGuy.com)
Do you know how the scammers added the play button above the image? They are trying to trick you into clicking the image.
And did you notice the words they used? You’ll automatically see the message ‘Package Failed’ and you’ll be curious and tempted to click to find out what the missing package is.
How hackers use images to lure users to phishing websites
Hackers usually phishing emailwhich consists of clickable links that lead to fake websites (often disguised as legitimate sites such as Amazon, which have nothing to do with fraud).
The focus of scammers is to create an urgent need to hand over personal information. To make matters worse, this new technique has become so popular that hackers are using images instead of links, and tricking us by these bad guys has become a science.
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How can I avoid being tricked by phishing emails?
There are some precautions to keep in mind whenever you open an email, even if it seems to be from a trusted source. Here are some tips.
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Don’t be fooled by image-based phishing
phishing message There are usually spelling and grammatical errors, which can be easily spotted if read carefully. By using only images, hackers can avoid these mistakes and trick you into clicking images.
These images may not be immediately conceivable as they are large promotional banners that appear in emails from package delivery companies such as FedEx, USPS, UPS and DHL.
Clicking on the image takes you to a phishing site aimed at stealing passwords and other sensitive information.
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A woman was tricked into replying to a phishing email and leaking confidential information. (CyberGuy.com)
Do not click on images, links or open attachments
If you receive spam emails from unknown senders and the emails contain links or attachments, in this case images that encourage you to click on them, this is a big red flag. Clicking on any of these can cause problems and lead you and your personal data down a dark and dangerous path without you realizing it until it’s too late.
This is one of the main ways scammers lure users to phishing websites. So be careful not to blindly trust the sender and click or open anything they offer.
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A man is upset when he realizes he’s been scammed. (CyberGuy.com)
Don’t let your emotions get in the way
When checking your email, it is very important to remember that hackers and scammers often use sneaky tactics to trick you.
One common trick is to create a sense of urgency in the hope that you will panic and click on a malicious link or reply to a phishing email without thinking.
So the key here is to keep your cool, don’t let your emotions get in the way, and don’t reply or cooperate with the sender.
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Enable two-factor authentication
To enable Two-factor authentication whenever possible. This adds an extra layer of security as he requires a second form of authentication, such as a code sent to your phone, in addition to your password.
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The best way to protect yourself from a data breach is to antivirus protection Installed on all devices.
be strong antivirus software When actively running on a device, it warns of any detectable malware in the system, warns against clicking on known malicious images and links in phishing emails, and ultimately protects users from hacking. protect the
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Please report any suspicious emails to the appropriate authorities
If you receive a phishing email, do not delete or ignore it. Instead, report it to the sender’s email provider, your email provider, and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
You can also forward the email to reportsphishing@apwg.org. The service is operated by the Anti-Phishing Working Group (APWG), a coalition of Internet service providers, security vendors, financial institutions, and law enforcement agencies.
You can help prevent others from falling victim to these scams by reporting phishing emails.
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Cart key points
Phishing attacks come in many forms, and the recent trend of using images to lure users into traps is another reminder why it’s so important to be careful when opening unsolicited email. will give you
Always scrutinize sender email addresses, resist the urge to click on suspicious images, links, and attachments, and avoid acting on emotions.
Two-factor authentication Reliable antivirus software is essential to combat the growing cyber threats that target Americans more than ever.
If you receive any of these phishing email, please report back in time. By doing so, you not only protect yourself, but also protect others, and stop these malicious schemes.
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Have you ever encountered a phishing email that uses images to deceive you? How did you recognize it and what did you do to protect yourself? Cyberguy.com/contact.
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