How to spot a phishing email
Phishing emails try to trick you into entering your password, opening a harmful attachment or paying money to a criminal. Most can be spotted if you know what to look for.
Warning signs
- The sender’s real address does not match the company it claims to be from. Click or tap the name to see the full address.
- It creates urgency: your account will be closed, a payment is overdue, act within the hour.
- It asks you to sign in through a link, open an unexpected attachment, or enable macros.
- Hovering over a link shows a web address that has nothing to do with the sender.
- It asks for gift cards, a quick payment, or for you to keep the request confidential.
- Greetings are generic, or the spelling and layout are slightly off.
The bank detail scam
A common and costly trick is an email that looks like it comes from a supplier, saying their bank details have changed. Always confirm new bank details by phoning the supplier on a number you already have, never one given in the email.
If you think an email is phishing
- Do not click links, open attachments or reply.
- If it claims to be from someone you know, contact them another way to check.
- Report it to your IT support, or use the Report button in Outlook if you have one, then delete it.
If you already clicked
- If you entered your password, change it straight away from a trusted device.
- Tell your IT support immediately, so they can check your account for forwarding rules and sign out other sessions.
- If you opened an attachment, disconnect the computer from the network and call for help.
Still stuck?
Download the remote support tool from our remote support page and call us on +264 83 376 4016, Monday to Friday 08:00 to 17:00. You can also email info@microtechnamibia.com.