The 3-second email check

Sender, Subject, Attachment

Checklist:

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  • Do you know the sender?
  • Do the displayed name and real e-mail address match?
  • Are you expecting an attachment (or link, see phishing) from this sender?
  • Does the subject make sense in connection with this sender?

In combination, these checks already give a good indication of whether the mail is trustworthy. With it, you can already drastically reduce the risks. Many SPAM/phishing/scam emails deliberately use vaguely and alarmingly worded subject lines, such as "Your invoice", "Reminder", "Your account has been blocked" or "Urgent message" often with "!!”. Always ask if such an e-mail from this sender makes sense, especially with attachments and links. And hands on heart, which of your communication partners uses exclamation marks in the subject?

If you do not have an account with Bank XY or the bank may not even know this e-mail address from you, the case is already clear. Likewise with an "invoice" or even a "reminder" from a shop unknown to you or without you having ordered something from the shop.