Email Phishing: How To Protect Yourself From A Scam
Globally, cybercrime is at an all-time high. Here, in SA, the Southern African Fraud Prevention Service (SAFPS) 2024 fraud statistics reported that fraud incidents have increased by 32% over the past year.
Did you know that a large number of successful Fraud Attacks start with a Phishing Message?
Cybercriminals tend to imitate well-known, reputable companies in phishing scams because it increases the chances of their fraudulent messages being “trusted” and opened. Recently, Domains.co.za has been made aware of numerous email phishing attacks pretending to be us.
Rest assured that we will never ask you to update your banking or credit card details
through unsolicited emails or messages.
The best way to protect yourself online is through knowledge! Read on as we share what phishing is and help you distinguish between a real and a fake email from Domains.co.za.
Table of Contents
What Is Email Phishing?
Phishing is a type of cybercrime that often occurs through fake emails, SMSs or other messages. These scams usually appear to be from trusted organisations, like banks, social media platforms, or online service providers.
Cyber criminals use phishing tactics to trick individuals into clicking links or downloading attachments, with the purpose of:
- Obtaining sensitive information like passwords or banking details, which they can use for identity theft, financial fraud, or accessing personal accounts.
- Installing malware on your computer – a type of malicious software designed to damage, disrupt, or gain unauthorised access to computers or networks.
- Stealing your money or making unauthorised transactions in your name.
3 Safety Checks – How To Identify Phishing Email – BEFORE Clicking On Any Email Links
Cyber criminals go above and beyond to trick people. It is therefore important to know that emails could appear very convincing. The branding could even be identical to that of a company’s like for example, Domains.co.za.
As a result, it could be a good idea to treat every email in your inbox as suspicious until you’ve done the three safety checks below.
Safety Check Number 1: Check The Sender’s Email Address
Always inspect the sender’s email address first.
Cyber criminals can manipulate the name that displays in the “from” part of the email, so that it looks like it is coming from a company that you recognise – but they cannot change the actual email address it was sent from.
At Domains.co.za our sender, our bulk email and our automated email addresses, will ALWAYS be sent from either: sales@domains.co.za – billing@domains.co.za – verify@domains.co.za
– NOTHING ELSE!
Safety Check Number 2: Do Not Click On Links – Hover Over Them Instead
Any word or line of text can be hyperlinked. A hyperlink is a clickable link that takes you to another page, website, or section in an email when it is clicked.
This means that scammers can type any wording in an email, even a legitimate-looking link, and hyperlink it to somewhere completely different.
Before clicking on any link in an email – hover over the link to view the URL destination, if you can’t see it look at the bottom left of the open screen view. If it looks strange or unfamiliar, DO NOT CLICK ON IT.
Safety Check Number 3: Verify The Email.
A phishing email usually tries to instill a sense of panic in the recipient. If an email claims you must act IMMEDIATELY to avoid negative consequences of any kind, be highly suspicious and do not click on any link or download an attachment.
Instead, login to your Domains.co.za Account. Here you will be able to verify the legitimacy of the email and view outstanding balances where relevant.
IMPORTANT: Any links from our legitimate email addresses will direct you to the Domains.co.za Customer Portal Sign In page. We will NEVER direct you to a payment gateway page.
You Received A Phishing Email, Now What?
After doing the safety checks above, and you realise that the email you received from Domains.co.za is a phishing attempt, what should you do now?
Step 1: Avoid interacting with anything in the email to prevent malware infections or being directed to fake websites.
Step 2: Kindly let us know so we can be aware. Forward the email to billing@domains.co.za or abuse@domains.co.za
Step 3: Use your email provider’s built-in feature to report the email as phishing.
(Right click the email in your Inbox – Scroll down and select Report > Report Phishing)
Step 4: Delete the email.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
– Cybercrime is picking up pace everywhere, protect yourself with the right knowledge.
– Many cyber fraud tactics start off with a phishing message via email, SMS or another platform.
– Phishing messages aim to the trick recipients into clicking on a link, downloading a file or sharing personal information.
– Treat all emails as suspicious until you’ve verified that the email address is from the company’s email address, in Domains.co.za’s case it will be from sales@domains.co.za, billing@domains.co.za or verify@domains.co.za
– Hover over email links to see the true destination URL.
– Sign into your Domains.co.za account via our website www.domains.co.za to verify the legitimacy of any email received.
– Domains.co.za will never ask you to update your banking or credit card details through unsolicited emails or messages.
FAQs
What is a phishing email?
A phishing email is a deceptive message that looks legitimate but is designed to steal personal information like passwords, credit card numbers, or login details.
How can I recognise a phishing email?
Look for suspicious sender addresses, spelling errors, urgent requests, unfamiliar links, or attachments. Companies won’t ask you to give them sensitive information. At Domains.co.za, we will NEVER link you directly to a payment gateway page. You will ALWAYS be directed to the Customer Sign in page available at this URL link: https://www.domains.co.za/login
What should I do if I receive a phishing email?
Do not click on any links or download attachments. Report the email as phishing and delete it immediately.
What happens if I click on a phishing link?
Clicking a phishing link may download malware or redirect you to a fake website that steals your personal information. Run an antivirus scan and change any compromised passwords.
How can I protect myself from phishing attacks?
Use email filters, be cautious with links and attachments, enable two-factor authentication, and always verify the sender’s identity before sharing sensitive information.
Can phishing emails target businesses as well as individuals?
Yes, businesses are often targeted with phishing emails to gain access to sensitive company information or financial data.
What are the most common signs of a phishing email?
Common signs include generic greetings, spelling mistakes, unexpected attachments, suspicious links, and requests for personal or financial information.
Can antivirus software stop phishing attacks?
Antivirus software can detect and block some phishing attempts, but it may not stop all. It’s important to stay alert and practice safe email habits as company policy.
What should I do if I’ve already shared my information with a phishing email?
Immediately change any compromised passwords, notify your bank or relevant service provider, and monitor your accounts for unusual activity.
Are phishing emails always sent from unknown senders?
No, phishing emails can sometimes appear to come from trusted sources, like colleagues or familiar companies, through spoofing or hacked accounts. Always verify before acting.
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Chantél Venter is a creative writer, strategic thinker, and a serious gesticulator. She’s passionate about storytelling, small businesses and bringing color to the world – be it through her words or wardrobe.
She holds a four-year degree in Business and Mass Media Communication and Journalism. She’s been a copywriter and editor for the technology, insurance and architecture industries since 2007 and believes anybody can run a small business successfully. She therefore enjoys finding and sharing the best and most practical tips for this purpose.