Spam vs. Phishing: What’s the Difference?
Not every annoying email is dangerous, but some are. Knowing the difference could protect you, your team, and our entire network.
Spam: Unwanted but not malicious.
Think promotional emails, random sales offers, or newsletters you didn’t sign up for. Spam clogs your inbox, but it usually isn’t trying to steal your info. Annoying? Yes. Dangerous? Not always.
Phishing: Deceptive and potentially harmful.
Phishing emails are crafted to trick you into clicking malicious links, giving up passwords, or downloading harmful files. They often appear urgent, familiar, or even helpful, until it's too late.
How to Spot a Phish in a Sea of Spam
Strange sender address: Look closely. Is that really who you think it is?
Unexpected attachments: Don’t open it unless you trust it and expected it.
Pressure to act fast: “Your account will be locked!” Sound familiar?
Link mismatch: Hover over any link before you click. Where does it really go?
You might be wondering, do I need to report spam? No. Do I need to report phishing? Yes. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out!
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