Information on Phishing from Southwark Diocese
We have recently noticed an increase in the number of phishing emails sent to parishes. We hope that the following will provide you with some information on how to recognise a phishing email and help better protect you from falling victim to it.
What is phishing?
Phishing is a cybercrime in which a target or targets are contacted by email, telephone or text message by someone posing as a legitimate person or institution to lure individuals into providing sensitive data such as personally identifiable information,
banking and credit card details, and passwords. The information is then used to access important accounts and can result in identity theft and financial loss.
Common features of phishing emails include:
• they always sound too good to be true
• poor spelling and grammar, or inappropriate tone
• a sense of urgency
• the majority contain hyperlinks they want you to click on
• the majority contain attachments
• it is from an unusual sender or sometimes a sender you know but with a different
email address
How to prevent falling victim of phishing attack:
• protect your personal information especially usernames and passwords, and do not
share them
• beware of suspicious emails and do not click on the hyperlinks they contain
• take time to learn the common phishing language and be alert to the sense of
urgency
• look out for warnings that your email or account has been compromised
The National Cyber Security Centre website has further information on phishing. This can be accessed via: https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/collection/small-business-guide
If you are unsure about an email you receive, pick up the phone and ask someone about it. If the email appears to come from someone you know, ring them and ask them whether or not they sent it. Don’t be worried about asking questions, or discussing a possible phishing scam with others, it may avoid a difficult situation later on.
What is phishing?
Phishing is a cybercrime in which a target or targets are contacted by email, telephone or text message by someone posing as a legitimate person or institution to lure individuals into providing sensitive data such as personally identifiable information,
banking and credit card details, and passwords. The information is then used to access important accounts and can result in identity theft and financial loss.
Common features of phishing emails include:
• they always sound too good to be true
• poor spelling and grammar, or inappropriate tone
• a sense of urgency
• the majority contain hyperlinks they want you to click on
• the majority contain attachments
• it is from an unusual sender or sometimes a sender you know but with a different
email address
How to prevent falling victim of phishing attack:
• protect your personal information especially usernames and passwords, and do not
share them
• beware of suspicious emails and do not click on the hyperlinks they contain
• take time to learn the common phishing language and be alert to the sense of
urgency
• look out for warnings that your email or account has been compromised
The National Cyber Security Centre website has further information on phishing. This can be accessed via: https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/collection/small-business-guide
If you are unsure about an email you receive, pick up the phone and ask someone about it. If the email appears to come from someone you know, ring them and ask them whether or not they sent it. Don’t be worried about asking questions, or discussing a possible phishing scam with others, it may avoid a difficult situation later on.
