How Not to Get Phished

By Avery Bunting

How Not to Get Phished equips you with the knowledge and tools to:

• Unmask the tactics phishers use to steal your information and money.
• Become a cybersecurity sleuth,sharpening your eye to spot red flags and avoid falling victim.
• Build a fortress around your accounts with essential security practices.
• Navigate the digital world confidently with proactive online habits.
• Respond effectively if you suspect you've been phished, minimizing damage and recovering swiftly.

Don't let phishers reel you in. Take control and protect yourself today.
 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Avery Bunting
• Release date: Feb 28, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224849765

Avery Bunting

Avery is an IT professional who writes books to help protect people and organizations from hackers and scammers, based on her extensive experience and expertise in this field.

Book preview

Chapter 1: The Lure of the Bait - Real-World Phishing Stories

Phishing. It's a word casually thrown around in news headlines and cybersecurity warnings, but for those who fall victim, the consequences can be devastating. This chapter delves into the human stories behind the statistics, showcasing the diverse tactics employed by phishers and the individuals they target.

Story 1: The Busy Professional

Sarah, a marketing manager juggling a demanding career and family life, received an email seemingly from her bank. The subject line blared, URGENT ACTION REQUIRED: Verify your account information. Panic jolted her. Had she forgotten a bill or made a mistake? Clicking the email, she saw a familiar logo and a message claiming suspicious activity on her account. Urged to verify her details immediately to avoid account suspension, Sarah, without thinking twice, clicked the provided link. It led to a replica of her bank's login page, and in her haste, she entered her username and password.

Hours later, Sarah's phone buzzed with a notification – a large unauthorized transfer had been made from her account. Devastation washed over her. Her hard-earned savings were gone, and the seemingly legitimate email turned out to be a carefully crafted phishing attempt.

Story 2: The Trusting Senior

John, a retired teacher, received a phone call claiming to be from the Social Security Administration. The caller stated that John's social security number was involved in suspicious activity and needed immediate verification. John, believing the authoritative voice, confirmed his personal information, including his social security number and date of birth. The caller then informed him of a solution – a money transfer to a secure account to protect his funds. John, trusting the caller's instructions, transferred a significant amount of money, only to later discover the call was a sophisticated phishing scam.

Story 3: The Tech-Savvy Target

Emily, a software engineer known for her tech expertise, fell victim to a spear phishing attack. This targeted method involved an email seemingly from