Thread by @ProtonMail

Phishing attacks cost Americans over $50,000,000 in 2022. Fake email attachments are one of the quickest ways hackers can phish you. 🎣

RT this thread to your network with 7 simple tips on how to make sure that an attachment is safe. 🧵⬇️

1. 🕵️ Make sure the sender is genuine. Never open an email attachment unless you’re certain you know who it is. Hackers can spoof emails to look like they’re from someone you know. Always be cautious! @ProtonMail protects you with a warning if we think the email has been spoofed.

2. 👾 Never open suspicious attachments. If you receive an unexpected or strange email, such as threats, urgent requests, prizes, or other unknown attachments, don’t download it! Instead, report it as phishing in your @ProtonMail app.

3. 💢 Don’t open attachments marked as spam. If an email is marked as spam, don’t touch it. @ProtonMail uses smart spam detection to keep you safe. It also protects you w/ PhishGuard, which flags suspected phishing emails with a red banner.

4. 🗃️ Check the filename & file type. Does the attached file fit the context of the message? If it’s from your friend, saying “Miami Vacation Photos,” but your friend wasn’t in Miami, don't download it. Esp. if it’s a .zip file – that’s a common way hackers try to attack you.

5. 🪲 Make sure your antivirus and OS are up-to-date. Malware can easily exploit vulnerabilities, so keep your operating system, browser, and other apps updated to the latest versions with security patches.

6. 🔗 One way to avoid the risk of email attachments is to avoid using them altogether. Use secure file sharing like @ProtonDrive where you can share #e2ee files with a secure link.

7. 📫 Use an email service that puts your privacy and security first, like @ProtonMail. It will check your email for viruses, malware, catching malicious files before they reach your mailbox, all while keeping your data private.

Unfortunately, email attachments are a common way for malicious actors to get you, so beware of any attached files. If you follow our 7 easy tips, you’ll significantly reduce your risk. 🔐
proton.me/blog/which-ema…