Protecting Yourself from “Inquiry List” Email Scams
Are you familiar with the “Inquiry List” email scam? If not, it’s a good idea to learn about it and how to protect yourself from falling victim to this type of phishing scam. This article will provide you with a comprehensive guide on how to protect yourself from “Inquiry List” email scams.
What is the “Inquiry List” Email Scam?
The “Inquiry List” email scam is a type of phishing scam that attempts to trick users into disclosing their email account login credentials. The email claims to be from a legitimate source, such as a company’s purchase department, and asks the recipient to sign in and review an attached document.
The attached document is usually an HTML file that is disguised as a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet. The document is blurred and instructs the user to “Verify to show you are not a robot.” The verification process supposedly entails entering the user’s email account login credentials into the document.
However, the phishing file records the entered information. Hence, if a victim is tricked by this scam, they can have their email account stolen. Furthermore, cybercriminals can also hijack the content registered through the email.
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How to Spot an “Inquiry List” Email Scam
To avoid falling victim to an “Inquiry List” email scam, it is essential to know how to spot one. Here are some tips to help you determine if an email is legitimate or a scam:
- Check the sender’s email address: Hover your mouse over the “from” address and check if it’s legitimate. For example, if you received an email from Microsoft, be sure to check if the email address is @microsoft.com and not something suspicious like @m1crosoft.com, @microsfot.com, @account-security-noreply.com, etc.
- Check for generic greetings: If the greeting in the email is “Dear user,” “Dear @youremail.com,” “Dear valued customer,” this should raise suspiciousness. Most commonly, companies call you by your name. Lack of this information could signal a phishing attempt.
- Check the links in the email: Hover your mouse over the link presented in the email, if the link that appears seems suspicious, don’t click it. For example, if you received an email from Microsoft and the link in the email shows that it will go to firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0… you shouldn’t trust it. It’s best not to click any links in the emails but to visit the company website that sent you the email in the first place.
- Don’t blindly trust email attachments: Most commonly, legitimate companies will ask you to log in to their website and to view any documents there; if you received an email with an attachment, it’s a good idea to scan it with an antivirus application. Infected email attachments are a common attack vector used by cybercriminals.
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How to Protect Yourself from “Inquiry List” Email Scams
To protect yourself from “Inquiry List” email scams, here are some tips to follow:
Use Anti-Virus Software
Using anti-virus software is crucial in protecting yourself from phishing scams. Anti-virus software can detect and remove malicious software from your computer.
Keep Your Software Up-to-Date
Keeping your software up-to-date is essential in protecting yourself from phishing scams. Cybercriminals often exploit vulnerabilities in outdated software to infect computers with malware.
Be Cautious of Suspicious Emails
Be cautious of suspicious emails and avoid opening attachments or clicking links in emails from unknown senders. If you receive an email that looks suspicious, always double-check the sender’s email address and verify the link’s authenticity before clicking it.
Enable Two-Factor Authentication
Enabling two-factor authentication on your email account is an excellent way to protect yourself from phishing scams. Two-factor authentication requires you to enter a code sent via SMS or a mobile app in addition to your email account login credentials.
Use Strong Passwords
Using strong passwords is crucial in protecting your email account from phishing scams. Use unique passwords for each account and avoid using passwords that are easy to guess, such as birthdays or pet names.
Educate Yourself
Educating yourself about phishing scams is crucial in protecting yourself from falling victim to them. Stay up-to-date with the latest phishing scams and learn how to spot them.
Conclusion
The “Inquiry List” email scam is a type of phishing scam that can result in severe privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft. To protect yourself from these scams, use anti-virus software, keep your software up-to-date, be cautious of suspicious emails, enable two-factor authentication, use strong passwords, and educate yourself about phishing scams. By following these tips, you can protect yourself from falling victim to phishing scams and keep your email account safe.