‘I will love to be the one that makes my potential mate have a more nicer time.’ 😻
No, this is not how I structure my cold outreach… and I’ve not been hacked either, dear reader. 🛑
This is the subject line of an e-mail from Mr Parves (mrparves01938@gmail.com) who would have been the subject of our Fran’s Gone Phishing security feature this week…but the language of that Phish is a bit too eye-watering to repeat here 👹 👺.
Hopefully, it goes without saying that any subject line along those lines is a big red flag and you should send that straight to the bin 🚮 🔻.
I wanted to discuss this Google impersonated phish, as it is one that will get some people and I want you to be aware of what it looks like, what it says and why you may be more at risk of this phish than others. 🐠
Firstly, many people use Google Apps and services these days. I myself prefer it to Microsoft. This phish has some elements such as the Google address, logo and layout that could be fairly interpreted as legitimate. 🔎
Psychologically, being told something of yours that you’ve spent time on, such as your work files being damaged and not repairable, may illicit a stronger more emotional response from you than the general phishes we see. 💔
You may, without thinking about it, if you haven’t spotted the danger signs 1) E-mail address and 2) the lack of content, click the ‘more information’ or other high concentration of scum links in a panic. 🔗
This is where you’ve got to remember to be diligent and start mentally from a position of not believing e-mails are legitimate, until you can prove they are when scanning them. 🤓
It’s an 8/10 phish in my books due to this psychological intimidation. Don’t get caught out.
#security #cybersecurity #phish #phishing #fransgonephishing #google #work #microsoft #feedbackfans
Chris Barnard has spent over 15 years delivering exceptional digital marketing performance for leading businesses in the UK, Europe and North America as an independent business consultant.
FeedbackFans provides a unique next-generation managed technology and marketing platform that delivers outstanding and outsized results for businesses in sectors such as finance, retail, leisure, and professional services.
With our unparalleled expertise in creating cutting-edge solutions and environments, we empower our clients and users to thrive in the digital age.
Chris Barnard is Managing Director of FeedbackFans.
