Don’t let hackers score: How to keep your inbox safe this Super Bowl season
You’re already mentally clocking off for the day when one last email pops up. It’s about a contest to win Super Bowl tickets for the whole family. As a big football fan, you don’t want to miss out on this opportunity, so you click on the attachment without thinking twice.
Your brief lapse in attention turns out to be costly. One careless click is all it takes for malware to slip into your system. A ransomware attack has now taken control of your network and locked your files.
This is a mistake you could have avoided. Just like in football, secure email communication isn’t only about having the right technology; it also requires a clear game plan, a solid playbook, and a well-organized defense. Learning how to prevent phishing is a crucial part of defending your digital end zone and stopping attackers before they score.
Chasing Super Bowl tickets? Don’t let one bad click cost you the game!by Manar – Reading time: 5 min.
Think of your inbox like a football field. Emails keep coming in, one after another, just like plays from the opposing offense. Some messages, like annoying promo emails, might clutter things up, but they’re mostly harmless. They’re the digital equivalent of a short gain that doesn’t really move the chains.
Others are a different story entirely. These are phishing emails, and they’re designed to do real damage. In a full-blown phishing attack, hackers have one goal in mind: score a touchdown by sneaking malware straight into your system.
The good news? If you stay in control of your digital playing field, you can effectively shut down these attacks. With the right awareness and a solid defense, you can protect against phishing, even when the pressure is on, and the game goes into overtime!
To protect your digital end zone, you need a solid lineup on defense:
Middle linebacker: your spam filter
Every inbox should have a strong spam filter calling the shots. It’s your first line of defense, spotting and blocking phishing emails before they ever reach you. That’s why selecting an established, security-focused email provider matters. With providers like mail.com, users benefit from years of experience and built-in protection, instead of relying on bare-bones inboxes with little defense.
Your antivirus software and firewall do the heavy lifting, stopping malicious attachments and suspicious content before they can do real damage. Just as important: keep your operating system, programs, and apps up to date. Outdated software is like leaving a hole in the line, and attackers will exploit it!
Two-factor authentication adds a crucial extra layer of protection. Even if someone gets hold of your password during a phishing attack, they still won’t get far without the second factor, such as a code sent to your phone. Think of it as extra coverage.
We’ve put together a separate blog post that walks through the different types of 2FA and when to use them.
Defensive backs: attention and common sense
Always pay attention to what’s coming your way. Illogical subject lines, urgent messages, fake senders, or strange wording are all clear red flags. Phishing links are another common giveaway, especially when URLs look unfamiliar or slightly off.
And if you do click a phishing link by mistake, we’ve put together a separate blog post explaining what to do next and how to limit the damage.
A lot of phishing scams fail when users simply slow down and take a closer look. Good defense starts in your head.
Head coach: staying informed
Just like a great coach, you need to stay up-to-date. The more familiar you are with current scam tactics, the better prepared you’ll be to prevent phishing and shut down attacks before they gain any ground.
Phishing emails are often professionally designed and made to look convincingly like messages from real companies. They rely on familiar brands and realistic wording to lower your guard and make a phishing scam harder to spot.
Common tactics in a phishing attack include “urgent” requests to confirm personal or account details, as well as fake emails claiming to come from banks, insurance companies, online retailers, or parcel delivery services.
Typical phishing subject lines include:
“Confirm your account details – act now”
“Delivery problem – reschedule delivery”
“Congratulations! Secure your tickets for the Super Bowl now”
These messages often play on excitement around major events, much like the buzz surrounding big football games or the Super Bowl, to pressure recipients into acting quickly.
Pro tip: Always check the actual sender address, not just the name shown in your inbox. An address like “support@bankofamerica-securemail.com” clearly doesn’t belong to a real bank. This tactic is known as spoofing and is a classic sign of a phishing email. If in doubt, you can even use an email verifier to check if the address is valid.
Email accounts are extremely valuable on the dark web. They contain personal data, contacts, and access details – a real franchise player for cybercriminals!
Compromised accounts are commonly used for identity theft, fraud, money laundering, spam and phishing emails, and a wide range of other criminal activities.
Stay calm, even when you’re under time pressure. Phishing relies on people reacting impulsively. Taking a short pause before you respond can help prevent phishing attacks before they start.
Step 1: Check the reason for the email
Don’t have an account with the bank mentioned? Then you can safely delete the message. It’s important to remember that banks never ask you to update personal data via an email link. Messages like this are a common sign of a phishing scam.
Step 2: Check links before clicking
Before you click, hover your mouse over the link or press and hold it on your smartphone. If the destination looks unusual or cryptic, don’t click. This simple habit is one of the most effective ways to protect against phishing.
Step 3: Don’t open attachments blindly
Attachments such as PDFs, ZIP files, or EXE files can also contain malware. When in doubt, it’s better to be cautious than to risk a full phishing attack.
Step 4: Train your security knowledge
Read security blogs, take advantage of training programs offered by your employer, and subscribe to reputable sources. Ongoing training plays a key role in phishing prevention and makes a real difference over time.
Step 5: Use strong technology
Keeping your devices up to date is essential. Regular updates, firewalls, and reliable virus protection are a must on all devices, whether you’re using a PC or a smartphone.
Step 6: Use strong passwords and two-factor authentication
“123456” isn’t a defense. Use strong, unique passwords. If you struggle to remember your passwords, try out the passphrase method or use a secure password manager. Where available, consider also using passkeys, which can offer better protection and are easier to manage. Always enable two-factor authentication wherever possible.
If you’re not sure whether a password is strong enough, tools like the mail.com password check can help you quickly assess its security. Together, these measures are one of the most effective ways to prevent phishing and protect your digital accounts.
Conclusion: The final whistle blows when you decide it does
In the digital world, every click is a play. And sometimes, a single moment of inattention can be the difference between winning and losing. With the Super Bowl just around the corner and excitement running high, it’s especially important to stay focused, both on the field and in your inbox. With a strong defense, regular training, a clear playbook, and a sharp eye on what’s happening, you’ll be well prepared.
The next digital foul is bound to come. But this time, you’ll be ready for the next snap.
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