Basic Cybersecurity Hacks: How to Spot a Phishing Attack

Key Takeaways (TL;DR)

• 54 % of experts say AI will make phishing attacks more dangerous.
• Watch for common red flags: suspicious links, urgent demands, generic greetings, and too-good-to‑be‑true offers.
• AI now enables hackers to write flawless‑looking phishing emails—making vigilance more important than ever.
• Stay safe by verifying requests, hovering over links, and approaching unusual emails with caution.

Phishing Attacks Are Growing

A 2023 Cybersecurity Insiders survey found that 54 % of IT and security professionals expect phishing attacks to become more dangerous thanks to AI‑generated content. As attacks grow in sophistication, spotting the subtle signs of a scam is critical.

The Fundamentals of Phishing: A Quick Overview

Phishing is a form of social engineering—tricking people into giving up confidential information. Variants include:

• Spear phishing: targeting a specific person.
• Spoofing: impersonating a trusted contact or brand.

Look Out for These Signs in a Phishing Email

1. Requests for Personal Information – Login credentials or ID numbers are rarely asked for via email.
2. Suspicious Links & Attachments – Hover to preview URLs and avoid unexpected file types (.zip, .exe).
3. Unrealistic Threats or Urgency – "Account compromised!" or "Payment overdue!" that push you to act fast.
4. Generic Greetings – "Dear Customer" instead of your name.
5. Offers Too Good to Be True – Unexpected prizes or refunds.
6. Odd Tone, Spelling, and Grammar – Though AI can mask this, many phishing emails still slip up.

Artificial Intelligence in Phishing

Generative AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT) let attackers craft perfectly worded messages that bypass traditional grammar‑error clues. This raises the bar for detection: you must rely on link scrutiny, sender verification, and healthy skepticism rather than spelling mistakes alone.

Conclusion

Phishing threats are evolving, but with a sharp eye and the checklist above, you can outsmart even polished scams. Verify before you click, scrutinize links and attachments, and trust your instincts when something feels off.

Additional Resources

• Five Characteristics of Email Phishing Employees Need to Know
• CrowdStrike: How to Spot a Phishing Email
• Cofense: 10 Most Common Signs of a Phishing Email

Need help? Total Assure can deploy email‑security solutions and security awareness training to keep your business safe. Contact us for a free demo.