Phishing emails are a type of cyber scam where attackers send fraudulent messages that appear to be from a trusted source, such as a bank, IT service provider, or well-known company. These emails trick victims into revealing sensitive information, such as passwords, credit card details, or login credentials, by clicking on malicious links or downloading harmful attachments.

Phishing emails are one of the most common and dangerous cyber threats because they rely on social engineering—manipulating human psychology rather than breaking through technical defenses. They are often disguised as urgent security alerts, fake invoices, or account verification requests to trick recipients into taking immediate action.

How Does This Happen?
Phishing emails typically follow a structured approach to deceive victims. Here’s how scammers execute their attacks:

1. Crafting a Fake Email from a Trusted Source
Attackers create emails that closely resemble legitimate communications from trusted organizations. They use:

Fake sender addresses that look like real ones 
Official branding, logos, and email layouts to make the email appear authentic.
Urgent language to create panic and force the victim to act quickly.
2. Including a Malicious Link or Attachment
The email will contain a phishing link or an infected attachment. The goal is to:

Direct victims to a fake login page that looks like a real website but is designed to steal their credentials.
Install malware, ransomware, or keyloggers when the victim opens an attachment.
3. Stealing Information or Gaining Unauthorized Access
Once the victim clicks the link and enters their details, the attacker can:

Steal login credentials to hack email, banking, or company accounts.
Use the credentials for identity theft or financial fraud.
Gain access to corporate networks and install malware for data breaches.

Example of a Phishing Email Scam

Sarah, a marketing executive, receives an email from "Google Support" stating:
"Your Google account has been compromised. Click here to verify your identity and prevent unauthorized access."

The email includes an urgent warning and a link to what appears to be a Google login page. Without thinking, Sarah clicks the link and enters her credentials. Minutes later, hackers access her email, reset her passwords, and use her account for further scams.

Red Flags:
The email came from security@g00gle-support.com instead of an official Google domain.
The message used urgency and fear tactics to pressure her into acting quickly.
The login page URL was slightly different from the real Google website.

How to Protect Yourself from Phishing Emails
1. Verify the Sender Before Clicking Anything
Always check the email address, not just the display name.
Look for misspellings, extra characters, or suspicious domain names.
If you receive an unexpected email, contact the company directly to verify it.
2. Never Click on Suspicious Links
Hover over links (without clicking) to see the actual URL.
If the link doesn’t match the legitimate website’s URL, do not click it.
When in doubt, go to the website manually by typing the official address in your browser.
3. Avoid Downloading Attachments from Unknown Sources
Phishing emails often contain fake invoices, PDFs, or Word documents with malware.
If you’re not expecting an attachment, do not open it.
Use antivirus software to scan attachments before opening them.
4. Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
Even if scammers steal your password, 2FA prevents them from logging in.
Use authenticator apps instead of SMS for added security.
5. Train Employees and Family Members
Cybercriminals target businesses through employees who don’t recognize phishing emails.
Regularly train staff and family members to identify fraudulent emails.