The digital world is a convenient and informative place, but it also houses various forms of cyber fraud. As cybercriminals get more sophisticated, itās crucial to stay vigilant and informed. In this blog post, we'll break down an email scam dated March 5th, 2025, that has already tricked several people. Letās analyze it step-by-step, giving you the insights you need to protect yourself.
1. Deciphering the Security Claims
One of the first red flags in a phishing email is misleading security claims. In this case, the email contains a blue bar stating, "This message was sent securely using Zix."Ā While ZixCorp is a legitimate email encryption platform, scammers exploit this trust. Always verify the authenticity of such claims by checking the sender and cross-referencing with official sources.
2. Inspecting the Link: A Crucial Step
Before clicking any link, hover over it with your mouse to inspect the actual destination URL. In this scam, the email claims to link to zixcorp.com. While this appears legitimate, cybercriminals often use subtle domain changes or redirects to trick users.
3. Spotting the Real Threat
The real danger lies in a deceptive āClick hereā link. When hovering over it, a pop-up reveals that the link redirects to softe.appāa malicious website designed to capture your credentials under the guise of an encrypted email login page.
4. The Fake Login Trap
Once on the fraudulent page, victims are prompted to enter their email address and password. At this point, cybercriminals capture and store the credentials for later use, potentially compromising multiple accounts if the same password is reused elsewhere.
5. The Error Message Reveal
After entering their credentials, victims encounter an error message. Many will assume they mistyped their information and attempt to log in againāunknowingly handing their credentials over multiple times.
6. The Urgency Tactic
Scammers use urgency to manipulate victims into acting without thinking. The email includes an expiration date for the encrypted message, pressuring recipients to act quickly and bypass common-sense security checks.
7. Privacy Under Scrutiny
A closer look at the email reveals another trick: a fake privacy link. The link appears underlined but actually contains an underscore before the text. Additionally, it directs users to 800flowersinc.comāa completely unrelated website rather than a legitimate privacy policy page.
8. Taking Control: Removing Mail Flow Rules
If youāve clicked on a phishing link, securing your inbox should be your next step. Follow these instructions to check for unauthorized mail flow rules in Outlook:
Open Outlook.
Click the gear icon in the top-right corner.
Select Mail.
Click Rules.
Disable any suspicious filters to review incoming messages properly.
9. Editing Mail Flow
To ensure hackers havenāt altered your email settings:
Click the three dots in Outlook.
Select Edit Rule.
Review mail filter rules for any unauthorized changes and remove them immediately.
10. Stay Safe Online with Three Little Words
When in doubt, remember these three simple words: If you donāt know, donāt click!Ā Phishing scams rely on deception, urgency, and user error. Staying cautious and verifying links before clicking is the best defense against cyber threats.
By following these steps, you can protect yourself and your data from falling into the hands of scammers. Stay informed, stay vigilant, and help others recognize the dangers of phishing emails!