How to spot Phishing Emails

How to Spot a Phishing Email in Under 30 Seconds

Phishing emails are getting smarter — but so can you.

These fake messages are designed to trick you into giving away personal information, clicking malicious links, or opening harmful attachments. The good news? With a little training, you can spot them before they cause damage — often in under 30 seconds.

Here’s how.

1. Check the sender's email address

At first glance, a phishing email might look like it came from someone you know — your bank, Microsoft, or even your own boss. But look closely at the email address, not just the display name.

Example:

• Legit: support@microsoft.com

• Phish: support@micr0soft-security.com

If it looks off, it probably is.

2. Look for poor spelling and grammar

Professional organisations don’t send emails riddled with typos or awkward sentences. If the message is full of strange wording, spelling mistakes, or bad grammar, that's a huge red flag.

❗Trust your gut — if it reads oddly, think twice before engaging.

3. Watch out for urgent or threatening language

Phishing emails often try to create panic to prompt immediate action — like threatening to shut down your account or saying you've been hacked.

❗ Phrases like “Immediate action required”, “Your account will be closed”, or “Unusual login detected” should raise suspicion.

4. Don’t click on suspicious links or buttons

Hover (don’t click!) your mouse over any links or buttons in the email. You’ll see the full URL preview in your browser. If it looks suspicious, unfamiliar, or overly long, don’t click it.

❗Real companies usually use clear, branded URLs.

5. Unexpected attachments? Be cautious.

Never open attachments from unknown or unexpected sources. Phishing emails often include files that infect your device with malware the moment you open them.

❗When in doubt, delete the message — or check with your IT team.

Bonus Tip: Trust your instincts

If something feels "off" about the email, it probably is. It’s always better to double-check than to click and regret it.

Final Thoughts

Spotting a phishing email doesn’t require a tech degree — just a few seconds of awareness. And remember, even the best spam filters can miss clever attacks, so staying vigilant is key.

✅ Need help with staff training or email security?

At Prime Networks, we help businesses like yours stay safe from phishing, ransomware, and cyber threats. As Microsoft Partners, we can also help set up advanced email protection through Microsoft 365 and other tools.

We offer Fully-Managed IT Solutions to help protect your business from Phishing emails and Data breaches. Are you looking to boost IT Security? Perhaps become Cyber Essentials accredited? We're here to help.

☎️Get in touch with us today to improve your business’s cybersecurity and give your team the tools to stay one step ahead.