Email Security

Ransomware

A type of computer virus designed to lock a computer system until a sum of money is paid.

Spam

Irrelevant or inappropriate messages sent on the Internet to a large number of recipients.

Grammar

Unlike in a text conversation, this needs to be correct when writing an email. Capitalization is especially important.

Cerber

A Russian ransomware-type malware that infiltrates systems, encrypting various file types and forcing you to pay to unlock them

Scam

A dishonest scheme; a fraud. An illegal plan for making money, especially one that involves tricking people.

Salutation

A greeting, in an email, the first line that says "Dear So and So," or "Good Morning,"

Red Flag

A warning of danger or a problem. Does not mean something is automatically wrong, just that you need to be careful.

Consistency

All parts of the email should be the same, meaning the person signing the email should be the one who's name is in the email address.

Emails directed to you

An email should always be addressed to you. A red flag could include a salutation like "Dear reclair," or "Hello User,"

Threat

An intention to do damage or other hostile action to someone because of something they did or did not do.

Virus

Any piece of code that has the intent to cause damage to someone's computer or data.

Unsubscribe

Cancel a subscription to an electronic mailing list or online service. By law companies need to include this option in their emails.

Suspicious

Causing one to have the idea or impression that something or someone is of questionable, dishonest, or dangerous character or condition.

Links

If an email contains these, make sure they are sending you somewhere safe. Before clicking these, make sure you trust the email.

Send From Address

Make sure you check this aspect of an email. Official emails will come from official addresses, like @chase.com or @visa.com

Urgency

Putting stress on the reader to do something right away.Example: If you do not resolve this issue immediately you may have to pay more! Or the opposite, you will lose out if you don't pay now!

FWD:

Short for "Forward" this means the message was not originally intended for you.

Malware

Software that often hides in a computer and steals personal information or potentially damages the computer

Compose

The button you press on Gmail to write a new email

Subject

The title of the email. This is a few word summary of your email.

Phishing

Tricking someone online in an attempt to steal money or information. This usually include someone pretending to be a legitimate company.

[email protected], [email protected], [email protected]

These are examples of more trustworthy email addresses

[email protected], [email protected], [email protected]

These are examples of suspicious email addresses.

Fear Tactics

This is a method some scammers will use to make you anxious or nervous so you will act right away. Goes along with urgency.

Credit Card Ending in ****-****-****-5555

This is a security measure many companies use to prove that they are legitimate. By saying the last digits of your card, they prove belongs to you. This is much better than saying "Your Personal Credit Card"

Chain

This is a series of emails that can be sent from person to person or that has multiple recipients. Usually encourages the user to send the email to another person or else face consequences.

Closing

This is the last line in an email, example: "From," "Best," "Thanks"

Signature

This is where you sign your name at the end of an email. In Gmail, you can set this automatically.

Filter

This protective measure is automatically built into Gmail to help you remove unwanted spam or scam emails.

Attachments

You should not download these from an email unless you trust the source.