Recognizing Phishing Attacks

Phishing is when scammers try to trick you into giving up your login details or other personal info, often by pretending to be a trusted company like Instagram, or Google. In one recent case, attackers used leaked user data (like emails and phone numbers from an old scrape of Instagram info) to send fake password reset emails. Here are some tips to help you spot them:

• Unexpected messages: You get an email, text, or notification about a password reset or account issue that you didn't ask for. Many users reported getting multiple ones in a short time.
• Urgent or scary language: The message pushes you to act fast, like "Your account is at risk—reset now!" to make you click without thinking.
• Suspicious links or attachments: The email has a button or link that looks official but leads to a fake site. Always check the web address by hovering over it (on a computer) or long-pressing (on mobile). Check the address carefully.  It might not start with "instagram.com" (or whatever it claims to be).   Sometimes the address isn’t even close to the genuine one. Sometimes it’s very similar and requires careful inspection.
• Odd sender details: Even if it says it's from Instagram, the email address might be slightly off, like "support@instagarm.com" (notice the typo) instead of the real one.
• Requests for extra info: Legit companies won't ask for your password or full details in an email.

The key take-away is this. If something feels off, if it doesn’t smell right, it's probably a scam. These attacks can be very believable and very dangerous.

Protecting Yourself

The good news is you can make your account much harder for attackers to target. Focus on these simple steps:

• Don't click suspicious links: If you get a reset email, ignore it and log in directly through the official Instagram app or website (type the address yourself). Change your password there if needed.
• Turn on two-step login: This adds an extra check, like a code sent to your phone, so even if someone has your password, they can't get in without it. Check the app or web page settings for “Two-factor authentication” to set it up.
• Use a strong, unique password: Make it long and mix letters, numbers, and symbols. Don't reuse it on other sites. A password manager app can help create and store them safely, and can even automatically fill the passwords in on forms so you don’t have to remember them.
• Keep an eye on your account: Many apps will warn you if a new device logs into your account.  Take these messages seriously and be sure you recognize the activity.
• Be careful with personal info: Limit what you share on social media, and watch for follow-up scams like fake calls claiming to be Microsoft support.
• Update your apps and devices: Keep your phone and apps updated to fix security holes as quickly as possible.
• Report and block: If you suspect you might have spotted a phishing attempt, report it in the to the website or app in question.

Staying alert and using these basics can help keep you safe—most attacks fail if you don't fall for the trick. If you're worried your data was leaked, services like Have I Been Pwned can check for you.