Email is a powerful tool for business and personal communication. The downside to this is that scammers and unscrupulous individuals can take advantage of potential victims. These scams range from old fashion rip-off operations to phishing schemes that combine a combination of email and fake websites to trick people into exposing sensitive information. 

Unfortunately, hackers are also taking advantage of the climate of uncertainty brought on by COVID-19. Remote workers are targeted, so you need to make sure that everyone on your team understands the basics of email security. Additionally, scammers are exploiting other channels of criminal activity when they target those looking to vote and collect stimulus checks. These scams are often known as phishing. Now that more people are working from home than ever during the pandemic, scams are on the rise. Often, this requires the help of remote IT support. 

Types of Phishing Scams

There are a wide variety of email scams that have been used for decades. Many of these scams were around long before email. These emails attempt to trick you into visiting a fraudulent website to download malware or divulge sensitive information. Below is a list of some of the most common phishing scams. 

• Guaranteed loan or credit 

• Chain letters 

• Free items 

• Work from home scams 

• Health and diet scams 

• Easy money 

• Bogus investment opportunities 

• Free cable kits

This list is by no means exhaustive. If you are looking for remote IT support, or IT support in NYC, we can help you protect your privacy and identify phishing scams. 

How to Avoid Phishing Scams 

If you understand the dangers, all you need to do is take some simple precautions to ensure that you can recognize scammers from legitimate sources. 

Learn the Email Policies of the Organizations You Do Business With Most

Legitimate organizations have clear policies on how they communicate through email. Many will not ask for personal information through email. Understanding these policies can help you weed out scammers. We provide remote IT support in NYC, ensuring that our clients’ data are safe and assisting in evaluating any suspicious emails our clients may come across.

Filter Spam 

Most email applications and mail services offer features to filter out spam. Find the help section of your email service to find out exactly how to filter out spam. 

Regard Unsolicited Email with Suspicion 

Be careful with emails sent to you by a person or organization that you don’t know. Do not attempt to open these emails, and never click links from a questionable email. 

Treat Email Attachments with Caution 

Be careful when you download email attachments. Even emails from someone you know may be sent from an infected computer. 

Don’t Give Into Panic and Reread the Email

When you receive an email asking you for money, claiming you broke the law or alerting you that you have unclaimed funds—take a moment to inspect the email and check if it’s legitimate. 

Configure a Personal Firewall 

Many operating systems come with built-in firewalls. This may not prevent fraudulent emails from reaching your inbox, but it can protect you if you accidentally open a file containing a virus. 

IT Support NYC 

Turning on two-factor authentication is just one of the many ways to protect your email account. If you have been scammed, and are looking for remote IT support, our team provides services to assure your safety online. If you think a scammer has your personal information, visit IdentityTheft.gov. There you will find ways to take action and report the crime. If you think you opened an attachment or clicked on a link that downloaded malicious software, immediately update your security software, then run a scan.