Hopefully when you received a phishing email regarding one of your online accounts you didn’t click the link and try to login. This is how hackers attempt to gain access to your account without you knowing. If you did login, immediately close your browser. Then, re-open it and go to the proper sign page through your browser and change your password.

We all get phishing attempts via email but we can do more than just educate ourselves on how to prevent being tricked. Before you delete the phishing email report it to the proper website that the phishing email is trying to access. These same companies have cyber security people that you can forward the email to.  Simultaneously you can report all phishing attempts to the Anti-Phishing Working Group at [email protected]

When concerned about possible virus infection of your computer perform a malware scan. To clarify, most phishing attempts are not created to infect and take over your computer.  Rather, the goal of phishing is to learn your account login details so they can steal your personal information.

Below are some of the more common companies that identity thieves try to mimic. These are just examples and there are many others.  If you don’t see the contact information below for the company you are looking for, simply Google it safely at the top of our website. For example, if the phishing attempt is in regards to PayPal, Google “Report PayPal Phishing”.  Often, you will find an email address posted that you can forward the phishing email to.

Report as Phishing to These Companies

In addition to forwarding phishing emails to appropriate companies and to the Anti-Phishing Working Group, you can also report the phishing link to Google but be careful. Don’t open the link in a browser, simple right click the link and select copy hyperlink. Cut and paste that link into the Google submission form and submit. Then, delete the phishing email. 

Here are a few examples of the top companies whose account holders are the top targets.  These companies want you to forward phishing emails to them so they can prevent future fishing attacks.

PayPal

PayPal is a top target of phishing because it gives thieves direct access to your money. If if you don’t currently have funds in your PayPal account, people with access can make payments out of a bank account or credit card that you have linked to. Report PayPal phishing attempts to [email protected] which can also be accessed on their PayPal suspicious activity.

If you have clicked a bad link or are worried about whether your account has been compromised change your password immediately. Learn more about how PayPal deals with account fraud.

DocuSign

Often, phishing links for DocuSign will go to Google Docs.  This may appear legitimate because it is using the Google domain but really it is someone with a Google account hosting a bad doc to gain your personal information.  Be proactive and report suspicious emails to DocuSign’s security team at [email protected]. If you feel the security of your account is at risk, contact DocuSign customer support.

Below are some tips to help spot the difference between real and spoof DocuSign emails: 

All URLs to view or sign DocuSign documents will contain “docusign.net/” and will always start with https.  All legitimate DocuSign envelopes include a unique security code at the bottom of notification emails. If you do not see this code, don’t click on any links or open any attachments within the email.

For the latest DocuSign security and system performance information, visit the DocuSign Trust Center. 

Report Facebook Phishing

Facebook is one of the largest website in the world with over 2.7 billion active users.  They have taken great strides to protect against phishing and promote that they take seriously all phishing reports when you forward the email to [email protected].   They have also set up security tools to prevent outsiders from signing into your account.  Like many online accounts they recommend and offer ‘two factor authentication’.  They will also email you of suspicious login attempts when you set up to receive unrecognized login notifications.

Netflix

Because Netflix is such a popular streaming service these days, it’s one of the more popular targets for phishing. Netflix states that they will never ask you to click a link to enter personal information about your account. Even if you are not sure the email you receive is a phishing attempt, report it to Netflix by forwarding the email to [email protected]. If you want to check your account to see if something is wrong with your billing, for example, go to Netflix.com directly or via a bookmark you’ve already saved to log into your account.

Here is a classic phishing email that Netflix would never send to you.

Dear user, We’re having some trouble with your current billing information. We’ll try again, but in the meantime you may want to update your payment details.

Most phishing emails feature proper links to the company at the bottom of the email, such as the Netflix support page or contact page. This is to trick you into thinking it’s legit. However, the link in the middle of the email goes to a different website.

Banks and Credit Card Companies

You may only have one bank account and one credit card. So when you receive an email from a bank that you don’t have an account with, it’s easy to ignore. You may even be thinking, why would they send this to me? Well, cyberthieves use spam internet servers to sent the phishing email to millions of people because they know at a percentage of those on the list will have an account with a particular bank.

This is why you will sometimes get an email that looks like it’s from your bank. Don’t worry, the scam artist probably doesn’t know you have an account with a certain bank. You are simply one of millions of people on a list.

Chase is one of the top banks that phishing emails try to mimic.  But really, there are too many banks and credit card companies to list, so it’s wise to be wary of any email from your bank.  Any information you need to know about your bank account will be within your account, so just go to your regular bookmark in your browser to login or to go Google and search for your bank.  You never have to worry if you always go directly to your bank to see if there are any important notifications for you.  Or just call you bank. 

To report a phishing email to your specific bank, search for your financial institution on Google by typing in your bank name followed by the keywords ‘report phishing email’.

Report as Phishing to Apple

Apple is a big one.  Your user name and password gives phishing attempts access to your iCloud account where all of your files are stored, including your contacts and pictures.  If you see any email that looks suspicious report it to Apple by forwarding the email to [email protected].  Apple will never ask you to verify your identity using your password.  They also recommend to protect your Apple ID by using two-factor authentication.  This security measure is available with many online accounts where a code is sent to you via text or email to complete your login.  This means that even if hackers gain access to your user name and password and try to log in, you will get a notification, but unless they have access to your phone, they can’t gain access.

Courier Companies and Shipping Outlets

Couriers include companies like Fed Ex, UPS, DHL Express, Purolator, and USPS.  Shipping may also come from online stores who use couriers, such as Amazon and Target.  The email may say something line “We are having trouble delivering your shipment!”  If you are expecting a shipment, you will immediately be concerned.  If you are not expecting a shipment you may wonder why you are receiving a product when you didn’t order anything. This is probably a phishing email, but even if it isn’t look closely at the email.  It’s always best not click any links and simply go to your account directly through your browser.  If you don’t have an account with a specific store, such as Walmart, then you know it is more than likely a phishing email.  Report it to the company concerned then delete the email.

Amazon

Many people have an Amazon account.  You may get an email from Amazon asking for your to login to correct a problem.  This is more than likely phishing.  Do not login using the link in the mail. Go directly to your Amazon account from your browser to see if there are any issues.  Amazon also uses couriers and the same safety rules apply.  Amazon usually notifies online shoppers that a real shipment has been delivered to their door, but they will never put a link in that email and ask you to check on your shipment.  Forward all suspicious emails to Amazon at [email protected]

Additional Contacts to Report Phishing

If you have scrolled down to this bottom of this email looking for a company that is not listed above, below are are few safe links or email addresses to report a phishing attempt to that company. Reporting phishing is important so that collectively, we can work to shut down the hackers and scammers who are trying to steal personal information from millions of account holders around the world.

A Quick Review of What to Do When you Receive a Suspected Phishing email.

• Don’t click any link to login to your account.  Go directly to your account via your browser bookmark or by searching for it on Google.  If you don’t have an account related to the email, it’s probably a phishing attempt and you have nothing to worry about.
• Before deleting the phishing email, forward the email to the company the identity thieves are pretending to be.
• Report the phishing link to Google but be careful how you copy the link to paste it on Google’s reporting page. Never click the link.  Instead, right click on the link to copy the hyperlink. Then delete the email.
• When you forward a phishing email to any company, cc the email to the Anti-Phishing Working Group at [email protected]

Here are additional emails not written about above that you can report phishing emails to:

• eBay: [email protected]
• Chase:   [email protected]
• Microsoft:  [email protected]
• Comcast:  [email protected]
• WhatsApp:   Learn more about WhatsApp security issues.

Report Email as Phishing to Gmail

This image below shows you how to report amy phishing attempt that is sent to your Gmail. To access this, you need to be signed into the web version of your gmail account. Reporting these emails will help reduce phishing and spam emails to your Gmail, but you should also report emails to the company being spoofed.

To report phishing to Gmail follow the steps below.  1) On an open email, select the drop down menu on the top right. 2) Select Report Phishing.

About Google Account Security:  Since Google accounts only have one login to multiple website, including YouTube and the multiple apps within Google for Education, consider setting up Two Factor Authentication to protect your account.

Additional Resources

Make sure your computer is not infected with Malware because you clicked a phishing email, scan your computer and protect against future attacks.

Learn more about Phishing and the new ways hackers use to steal peoples personal information.  Read about Smishing (Text) and Vishing (Phone) Scams.

File sharing is the process in which digital media is shared among devices. The art of file sharing is not a new thing as it began in 1967 when Alan Shugart invented the floppy disk. This technology has evolved over the years from people being able to share a single file to multiple ones by one click of a button.

Currently, there are no limits on the number of files that you can share. The process involved is both simple and straightforward.

Making Use of Safe Technological Tools

In recent years, there have been advancements in technology that now allows you to zip files and share them. There are companies that pioneer in the provision of tools for compressing, zipping, and achieving files. The beauty of using such tools is that they will reduce the size of the document without tampering with the format and appearance. They also have an option to input security measures so that files can only be accessed by authorized people alone.

But, what are the benefits of file sharing? When done safely, it:

• It is affordable which allows teams to have access to relevant information at a low cost.
• The process is efficient as the technology available allows you to share files promptly.
• Based on the service that you are using, files shared can be accessed from any location.
• It fosters collaboration especially if you are using cloud computing that allows users to edit the information online.

Currently, there are numerous ways in which you could share files safely.  It’s simply one more way to protect you, your computer and your family online.

Below are 10 tips on how to share files safely and efficiently:

1. Avoid emails

Emails may be convenient but they are not the best when sharing documents with confidential information. These platforms are prone to hacking which could result in confidential files landing in the hands of authorized personnel.

2. Update your security software

Often people forget to update their software which leaves them vulnerable. Hackers know this and tend to take advantage of systems that are not updated.

3. Encrypt with passwords

Technology has made it possible for people to incorporate passwords on files that they do want people with prying eyes to see. To ensure that a document is not easily accessible, you need to encrypt it with a complicated password that has upper and lower cases as well as symbols and numbers. When you leverage encryption, you will significantly reduce the penetrating power of various cyberattacks.

4. Change passwords often

It is recommended that you change your passwords often preferably every month. Because it can be difficult to remember to make these changes, you need to note down the dates when passwords need to be changed.

5. Use secure connection

Remote workers are among the people who are fond of sharing information among themselves. Suppose you work away from the office, you need to ensure that your connection is secure before sharing any files. Be extra careful if you are using a public WiFi.

6. Refrain from suspicious downloads

The rule is that whenever you are sharing files using digital platforms is that you never download files that you do not trust. Hackers can incorporate viruses, spyware, and adware on files to gain access to your system. Thus, you should never open downloads that you do not trust.

7. Double-check inbox emails

Working from home will have you receiving a ton of emails from various stakeholders, customers, and colleagues. It is always safe to check the sender of the email several times before opening any attachments that come with it. Sometimes a sender may appear legitimate, your job is to look keenly so that you protect your files and digital devices.

8. Utilize safe file-sharing programs

There exist programs that you can use to share files with colleagues. Among them are Enigmail., pCloud, Resilio., SpiderOak., and Signal. These programs should have features such as web editing, remote file access, and file locking as well as mobile access.

9. Refrain from clicking links

Do not make it a habit of clicking links that come with files that you receive. If you are in doubt, you should hover around the link a couple of times before clicking it. When your gut tells you that you should click a link, you need to listen to it.

10. Avoid USB drives

Flash disks and external hard drives are not the best tools to share files with them. Given their size, they are bound to get lost and are easy to steal as well. Suppose, they fall in the wrong hands, you lose valuable data.

Conclusion

File sharing is one of the most important technologies we have. It enables teams to work together onsite and remotely. However, this process is prone to the risk of hacking hence the need to share files securely.

With the rise of online banking and payment services, it’s important to teach your children how to use online finances responsibly. Unfortunately, more digital transactions mean greater risk for young people who are unaware of how to keep their data safe. This article shows you how you can protect your children.

The Rise of Mobile Banking and Finance

Mobile banking has risen quickly over the last decade. In 2012, only 21% of cell phone owners around the world used digital banking services.  While some people are still more hesitant to use online-only banks, that figure has grown to 89% of all Americans. The number of those who access their own bank’s digital services is growing as users ditch paper statements to reduce paper waste.

Digital finance is a growing trend among young people as well. With the increased popularity of digital investment apps, online loan services, and accessible payments via social media and other services, the generation that grew up online is content keeping all their finances digital. The pandemic has also elevated their use of online financial processing.

4 Ways to Teach Your Kids To Protect Themselves

While there are plenty of opportunities for kids today to manage all their money virtually, there is also plenty of danger. Compromised or stored passwords, threats from hackers, and online companies selling data are just some of the threats they face. Here are four ways you can help your children to protect themselves.

1. Teach Your Kids About Online Security and Safety

No matter what age a person is, everyone should be aware of how vulnerable their data is when they are online. Their information can be shared, stolen, or manipulated. Even their very identity is at risk.

Teaching your children to protect their online profiles is your first priority. For example, help them to develop good password management habits, including writing strong ones and keeping them safe and secret. They can also download software that helps them keep their passwords secure.

Even with a robust password, kids need to understand that his or her data is not necessarily private. Companies store and use profiles from social media and other apps for marketing, demographic information, and more. They may also sell that data to third party firms.

It’s important to know that since the pandemic, both children and predators are spending more time online. Your kids can be targeted whenever they are on social media or online gaming. Teach them to practice good internet safety habits, such as not sharing personal information with strangers and avoiding suggestive screen names.

Mastering these internet privacy skills is important as your children expand their use of online finances. Show them how to use technical tools to protect themselves, including cookies, private browsing, and antivirus software.

2. The Pitfalls of Online Shopping

Online shopping today is even simpler than placing an order at Amazon. Maybe too simple. Money can be sent in the blink of an eye, without needing excessive verification. That also means it’s easy to give your money to the wrong people or to send money unintentionally.

One of the most valuable things you can teach kids about is the dangers of online shopping. Walk them through an online shopping experience: teach them how to double-check the cart, why it’s unsafe to store credit card data, and what information they should never give out. For example, a legitimate online shop will not ask you for your social security number.

3. The New World of Electronic Payments: Facebook and Venmo

Be aware that your children might send money to an online vendor through Facebook, such as buying an item that a friend has made. While Facebook has its own security measures, teach them only to purchase from people they know in real life to protect their money. You should also teach techniques to secure their Facebook accounts, such as two-factor authentication.

Venmo is another popular app for online money transactions, however, you must be 18 years old to use it. Parents should know that Venmo transactions are public and, therefore, visible to everyone. If they make an accidental purchase, it can be more difficult to get their money back, so instruct your children to be highly cautious when using this app.

4. Helping Your Kids Avoid Bad Debt

Digital apps are now available that allow everyday people to invest or take out loans without a lot of experience or collateral. To protect them from unsound financial decisions, you need to teach your kids about debt. Explain concepts like the importance of credit scores, how to manage a budget, and why debt can have a good or bad impact on their financial future.

Teaching them to manage their bank accounts is important too. Paper bank registers may be a thing of the past, but online banking applications offer a variety of aides that can keep your children on top of their accounts. Tools like alerts and automatic savings deductions, along with regularly keeping track of online statements, can help your kids safely manage their money.

There are also budget management apps available. These can be useful but remember to tell your kids that the more apps they use for fiscal planning, the more they are vulnerable to theft. Limiting financial apps to a very few is a good way to keep your child’s data safe.

The rise of mobile banking, online shopping, and digital family financial planning provide a lot of options for your children to manage their money. However, they also put them at great risk. Teaching them safe financial practices can help them make wise choices while keeping their data and money safe.

Equipping kids how to resist consumer debt in general goes hand in hand with raising them how to be responsible consumers through all the stages of their lives.

It’s true that the modern generation is far more tech-savvy than we ever were around their age. Almost everything they do, from learning to leisure, can be done online.  And as you know, the internet can be a dangerous place — there’s no shortage of online trolls and predators just waiting to create trouble… or worse.

You certainly don’t want your children to fall victim to cyberbullying or to discover they’re turning into bullies themselves. And it’s a parent’s worst nightmare even thinking about predators talking to their child online.  So, just as vital it is to teach your kids digital etiquette and rules of safety in the offline world, teaching them how to be responsible cyber citizens is equally important (and perhaps more so!).

With this in mind, we’ve outlined five online behaviors to teach your kids when they’re still young. Consider this a crash course in online etiquette for the little ones in your life.

Keep Private Information Private

First and foremost, and it goes without saying, make sure your kids understand that private information should never be shared online.

Explain to them that things like their home address, phone number, social security number, bank account details, etc. are meant to be confidential, so they should never add such sensitive information to their social media accounts or share it anywhere online.

Also, things that are personal — such as thoughts and emotions — are best shared in person with family, not over the internet with strangers.

Think Twice Before Posting or Hitting “Send”

Remind your kids that once something is posted online, deleting it does not necessarily mean that it’s gone from the internet — it can be found again. So, just like in real life, it’s always a good idea to think long and hard before posting something, commenting, or hitting “send.”

And it’s not just about typos or grammatical errors. At this young age, it’s easy to dismiss questionable posts or comments, but what happens when it’s time to apply for college or a job?

Prospective employers and universities often conduct an online background check — including social media — and even an old post can damage your kid’s reputation.

In fact, 31% of college admission officers visit the applicant’s social media profiles to learn more about them, and 30% of institutions have rejected an applicant due to information they found online.

So, encourage your kids to be scrupulous when it comes to their online activities to ensure they don’t post or say something that may be misconstrued or deemed offensive.

Be Polite and Respectful

This is one of the most crucial etiquettes to instill in your kids’ minds. Rude behavior or being hurtful to others is not acceptable whether the interaction is online or off.

So, here’s what you need to remind your kids about being digitally aware when taking part in online conversations:

• Treat others how you want to be treated.
• Don’t say anything that you wouldn’t say in-person and also mind your social media manners.
• Never type when angry, you may say something that you’ll regret later or spark unnecessary conflict. Respond only when you’ve cooled off.
• Don’t spread rumors or post insulting comments. Keep your tone polite, positive, and truthful.
• It is always best to discuss sensitive or tense issues with the person directly instead of posting something online or sending a mean message.

Don’t Interact With Strangers

Let your kids know that just as they wouldn’t talk to complete strangers in-person, it’s a good idea to not interact with unknown people online.

They have no obligation to accept friend requests or to follow people back. If they don’t know someone in person or don’t spend time with them offline, then there’s no reason for the child to connect with them online. They have the right to choose who they want to converse with, and as their parent, you must teach them to choose wisely.

Interacting with strangers is common when playing online games, and that’s fine in some cases, but they should always set boundaries about what they share and block people who are pressuring them.

Make it clear that it’s easier for people to hide their true identity and intentions online, so there’s nothing wrong with blocking people if they feel the need to.

Dodge Digital Drama

Let your kids know that they won’t always agree with everyone online. Clashing opinions can sometimes be upsetting or infuriating, but it’s essential to learn when to exit a conversation if things are getting rude or nasty.

Instant messaging, posting comments, or tweeting are all spontaneous communication — which makes it fun — but it’s easy to get carried away and start a heated argument that serves no purpose except causing more mental distress.

So, teach your kids to log off, not reply to the message, or refrain from posting a negative comment when they spot needless drama erupting. It’s best to exit the conversation and deal with the matter in-person if need be.

Over to You

Teaching digital etiquette takes time, and you’ll need to have multiple conversations with your kid(s) to instill these best practices. You’ll have to explain the why behind everything, as that’s how your kids will continue to believe in these manners even when they’re adults.

Finally, don’t worry about being perceived as a controlling or overprotective parent by friending/following your kids on social media, frequenting their online activities, and setting boundaries — it’s a way to keep them safe online when they’re not old enough to know what’s best for them.

About The Author – Rob Gabriele is a professional writer and editor at SafeHome.org. He has a rich experience in the field of home security technology and smart home automation and a passion for distilling complex tech information into easy-to-read and enjoyable content. This lends well to writing and publishing content that empowers people to stay safe and secure in this rapidly changing world. When he’s not crafting premier content in this niche, Rob spends his time reading, enjoying the outdoors, or trying to master his air-drum solo of ‘In the Air Tonight’ by Phil Collins.