How to Protect Yourself Against Phishing

Every day, millions of people receive emails, texts, or calls that look legitimate — but aren’t. A message from your “bank,” a warning from “PayPal,” a job offer, or even a text about a missed delivery. They look convincing, but they’re traps: phishing attempts designed to steal your passwords, credit card numbers, or even your entire identity.

Phishing is everywhere, and the tactics are getting smarter. The good news? Once you know what to look for, protecting yourself becomes much easier.v

What Is Phishing?

Phishing is a form of online fraud where criminals impersonate trusted companies, services, or people to trick you into giving away sensitive information. It can come through:

• Emails (the most common)

• Text messages (smishing)

• Phone calls (vishing)

• Fake websites that mimic real ones

  
  

The goal is always the same: get you to click, panic, and share data you normally wouldn’t.

How to Spot a Phishing Attempt

Phishing works because it looks familiar. The message often appears to come from a bank, a popular service like PayPal or Netflix, or even a colleague. What gives it away are the small details. The email may use urgent or threatening language, warning you that your account will be suspended unless you act immediately. The sender’s address might look close to the real thing but not quite right. Links inside the message may look normal, but when you hover your mouse over them, they lead to a completely different site.

Other warning signs include poor spelling and grammar, which suggest the message was rushed or automated, and unexpected attachments that could contain malware. Most importantly, any request for sensitive information like passwords, PINs, or credit card numbers should immediately raise suspicion, since no legitimate company will ever ask for these details by email.

How to Protect Yourself

The first and most important defense against phishing is to slow down. Phishing relies on pressure — messages are designed to make you panic and act quickly. If you take a moment to think before clicking, you break that spell. Whenever you get an unexpected email or text, verify the source. Don’t use the links or phone numbers provided in the message; instead, go directly to the official website or contact the company through their known support channels.

Even if you accidentally click on a link, having multi-factor authentication (MFA) enabled on your accounts can save you. MFA adds an extra step to the login process, so even if someone has your password, they won’t be able to access your account without the second verification factor. Pair this with a password manager, which will only auto-fill credentials on legitimate websites, and you’ve already closed two major doors that phishing attacks try to exploit.

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Another important habit is keeping your software and devices updated. Many phishing attempts install malware, and updates often patch the vulnerabilities they rely on. Finally, always check the web address carefully before entering any information. A secure site should begin with “https://” and match the official domain.

Remember: awareness is your strongest shield. The more you train yourself to notice these signs, the less likely you are to fall victim.

What to Do If You Fall for a Phishing Scam

Even with the best precautions, mistakes happen — and that’s exactly what phishers count on. If you realize you’ve clicked a suspicious link or entered information on a fake site, the first step is to act quickly. Change your passwords immediately, starting with the affected account and then any other accounts where you may have reused the same login details.

If the information you shared was financial, such as credit card details or banking credentials, contact your bank right away. They can freeze your accounts, monitor for suspicious activity, or issue you new cards before the damage spreads. It’s also a good idea to run a malware scan on your device, since some phishing sites attempt to install malicious software in the background.

Don’t forget to report the attempt. Many companies have dedicated email addresses where you can forward phishing messages, and most countries have cybersecurity hotlines or agencies that collect these reports. By reporting, you’re not only protecting yourself but helping to stop the same scam from reaching others. Mistakes are human — the real danger is doing nothing or panicking after you spot one.