Phishing is a type of cyber attack that attempts to steal personal data by tricking the recipient into opening up an email, text message, or website. This can expose sensitive information such as login passwords and credit card information. To protect yourself from identity theft, here’s everything you need to know about phishing attacks, prevention measures, and malware removal.

Common Types of Phishing Attacks

The most common type of phishing attack is when an attacker impersonates a legitimate company and sends emails that contain malicious links. Often the email will claim that the recipient needs to update their financial credentials; the link opens up a fake log-in page that can then steal personal and financial information. Spear phishing is a scam in which the fraudster creates an email to fool the recipient into believing they have a personal connection with the sender. The link in the email can also contain a disaster if you don’t have malware removal; when installed on your computer, it can cause computer problems and expose sensitive information. 

How to Protect Yourself

To protect yourself against an email phishing attack, never open up any emails or links from senders that you do not recognize. If a seemingly legitimate business attempts to update your financial information, always confirm with the direct site rather than clicking on links within the message. If you believe you’ve been scammed or that a virus has been installed on your computer, consult an IT professional right away. They will scan for viruses and install malware removal software to protect your computer. 

Following the above tips can protect you from serious cyber threats. If you need an IT professional for virus and malware removal, turn to the team at Absolute Computers in Sanford, NC. Established in 1999, they are the premier IT service provider specializing in everything from computer repair to network installation. Call (919) 777-9125 to speak with an expert technician or visit their website for more information about their full list of services.