Detecting risky or fake email addresses is an essential skill for cybersecurity awareness. Fraudsters use fake email addresses to lure unsuspecting recipients into unwittingly downloading malware or divulging sensitive information, and vigilance in these situations is the best way to keep your personal data safe.

Recognizing fake detect risky or fake email addresses easier when employees are aware of typical characteristics that may indicate a phishing attempt. These include attention-grabbing subject lines that elicit a sense of urgency, such as “Your Account Is Locked” or “Urgent Action Required”; emails from high-level executives requesting to bypass normal verification procedures; or messages that request unusual actions, such as wire transfers or sharing confidential information.

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Another red flag is the presence of unfamiliar or unexpected attachments in an email. Cybercriminals often disguise malicious code in these files, which masquerade as inhttps://www.campaignmonitor.com/resources/glossary/email-deliverability/voice documents, receipts for payments, photos, pricing sheets, and spreadsheets. In addition, attackers can use links with non-secure websites (i.e., sites without the padlock symbol), or link to shortened URLs to conceal their true destination.

Employees should also be wary of email addresses with syntax errors or that appear to be invalid, and check the domain, mail server, and the email account to make sure these exist and can receive emails. Some tools such as EmailVerifier offer bulk email verification that can check the deliverability of an entire list of emails and remove spam traps, catch-all addresses, and disposable signups for a low bounce rate.