Hi everyone, Charles here to mention one of the new phishing pitfalls. I want to share an alarming experience I had this morning with a new kind of phishing email. It’s a threat that many of us might overlook.

Phishing, as you may know, is a deceptive practice where scammers send messages pretending to be from reputable sources to steal personal information. These messages often target information related to email accounts, bank details, and more. Let’s delve into this new threat and how we can protect ourselves.

The “WordPress” Site Scam: A Sneaky New Variant

This new phishing tactic aims to trick you into believing there’s an issue with your WordPress site. It’s crafty, featuring actual WordPress links, making it seem convincingly legitimate. But here’s the catch: CharlesWorks, my company, never sends out such messages. This was a red flag for me. Here’s what the email looked like:

On top of that, my company provides its own web hosting (less expensively than WordPress.com). The https://Charles.st is hosted on our own servers and not connected with WordPress.com whatsoever.

Investigating the Source

Curiosity led me to inspect the email’s origins. The message header revealed an IP address from Singapore. This was another sign that something was amiss. Authentic WordPress communications wouldn’t originate from such an obscure source.

Decoding the Deception

The email content seemed urgent, warning about changes in WordPress regulations and threatening to disable my website if I didn’t comply. It even set a deadline (tomorrow), creating a sense of urgency to trick me into acting without thinking.

What Gives It Away?

Several aspects of the email raised suspicions for the average person:

• Urgency and Threats: Legitimate companies rarely force immediate action through such alarming language.
• Suspicious Links: Despite looking real, these links can lead you to harmful sites designed to steal your information.
• Unusual Email Address: The sender’s address didn’t align with official WordPress communication channels.

For me, I knew right away it was a scam. Again, CharlesWorks would NEVER SEND OUT SUCH A MESSAGE. If there is a problem with a website or whatever we contact our clients directly.

How to Protect Yourself from New Phishing Pitfalls

1. Verify Before Clicking: Always double-check the sender’s email and hover over any links to see their actual destination.
2. Look for Red Flags: Urgent language, threats, and unusual requests are common indicators.
3. Update Your Knowledge: Stay informed about the latest phishing tactics.
4. Use Trusted Sources: Consult official websites or support channels for any doubts.

Conclusion

Avoid this and other new phishing pitfalls. Phishing scams are constantly evolving, and we must stay vigilant. If you receive a suspicious email, don’t rush to respond. Verify its authenticity and remember, if it sounds too urgent or too good to be true, it probably is. Stay safe online!

Check out more information about phishing by perusing our https://charlesworks.com/category/phishing-scams-spoofs/ articles.

I hope this article raises awareness and helps you steer clear of such deceptive practices. Remember, knowledge and caution are your best defenses against these digital pitfalls. Clients can always email us at support@charlesworks.com. Or call us at 603-924-9867 whenever you are unsure of these situations.

For more detailed information on phishing and suspicious behavior check out this directly from Microsoft:
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/phishing-and-suspicious-behaviour-0d882ea5-eedc-4bed-aebc-079ffa1105a3
CharlesWorks is a Microsoft Partner. If you are not using Microsoft email yet, consider calling or texting us at +1 603-924-9867. Or contact us via our website at https://charlesworks.com/contact/. We are here to help get you hooked up.