Anyone can send you an email while impersonating someone else! This is not much more complicated than writing a false sender name on the back of an envelope.
Here are 5 cyber tips to consider:
1-DO NOT BLINDLY TRUST THE SENDER'S NAME
Be alert to any indication that calls into question the true origin of the email, particularly if the message contains an attachment or links: for example, inconsistencies in form or content between the received message and those your legitimate contact usually sends you. If in doubt, contact your correspondent to verify that they are the source of the message.
And even if the sender is genuine, they may have unwittingly sent you an infected message.
You must accept that in the field of electronic messaging, there is no sender that can be trusted by default. We therefore strongly advise you to exercise the utmost vigilance.
2-BEWARE OF ATTACHMENTS
They may contain viruses or spyware.
Regularly ensure that your antivirus is enabled and up to date.
If your workstation behaves abnormally (slowness, sporadic white screen, etc.), have it checked.
3-NEVER RESPOND TO A REQUEST FOR CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION
Requests for confidential information, when legitimate, are never made by email (passwords, PIN codes, banking details, etc.). If in doubt, once again, ask your legitimate correspondent to confirm their request, as you may be the target of an attempt phishing, or phishing attacks.
This is a technique used by malicious individuals, typically impersonating a third party or simulating a website you would normally trust (a bank, an e-commerce site, etc.) with the aim of obtaining confidential information and then using it for fraudulent purposes.
Messages such as chain letters, good luck charms or pyramid schemes, calls for solidarity, virus alerts, and the like, may conceal an attempted scam.
Avoid forwarding them, even if you know the sender.
4-HOVER YOUR MOUSE OVER LINKS, PAY ATTENTION TO ACCENTED CHARACTERS IN THE TEXT AS WELL AS THE QUALITY OF THE LANGUAGE USED BY YOUR CORRESPONDENT
By hovering your mouse over the proposed link, you can check whether it actually points to the website address stated in the message. If the address is different, be cautious and avoid clicking on the link. As a general rule, it is preferable to manually type the address into your browser.
In most phishing attempts, particularly when they originate from abroad and the text has been translated by software, the spelling and phrasing are of a very average standard, and accented characters may be poorly transcribed.
However, it is observed that a growing number of phishing attempts use correct French.
Therefore, be as vigilant as possible when receiving such messages.
5- CORRECTLY CONFIGURE YOUR EMAIL SOFTWARE
- Update your software, if possible by enabling the automatic update procedure;
- Configure your email client to disable automatic email preview;
- In the optional security settings, prohibit the automatic execution of ActiveX, plug-ins and downloads, either by disabling them or by requiring them to ask for your authorisation;
- In a sensitive environment, read all messages in plain text format.
Finally, these reflexes will help you prevent risks and will spare you, as much as possible, from becoming yet another victim.