Phishing attacks are one of the most common types of data breach attempts, with 31,000 phishing attacks launching every single day, according to cybersecurity firm SlashNext. Furthermore, 77% of cybersecurity professionals report being targeted by phishing attacks, proving just how widespread these attacks are. The rise of ChatGPT and similar generative AI tools has made it even easier for bad actors to create legitimate-looking phishing messages in a fraction of the time, further increasing the risk of phishing attacks.

Kara Sherrer, writing for TechRepublic Premium, explains the nine warning signs of a phishing attack that every single person needs to know in order to identify one, both at work and at home. This guide will help you educate yourself and your employees about the practical details to look for and provide some examples of common phishing tactics.

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UNNECESSARY URGENCY OR IMMEDIATE DEADLINES

One common tactic that scammers use to encourage people to click is creating a sense of false urgency. For instance, the email might threaten to deactivate your account if you don’t update your information within 24 or 48 hours. They might also falsely state that a non-existent invoice is overdue and ask you to submit payment right away, or say that you need to act immediately in order to claim a refund or reward.

The scammers hope this feeling of urgency will make people click without thinking about the possibility of a phishing attack — and it often works, which is why it’s important to stop and think carefully about any urgent emails, especially if they come from unknown senders. Legitimate organizations will give you plenty of time to make updates to your account or process a payment.

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TIME SAVED: Crafting this content required 18 hours of dedicated writing, editing and research.