Category: Brand Knockoffs, Customer Service
Red Flags: Unexpected, Spoofed URL
Subject Line: Thanks for contacting Apple Support.
Why it Works: This email is so easy to click on. Simple as that. It’s not overly urgent in the same way as an account compromise, password reset, or shipping notification. It creates just the amount of intrigue and wonder that prompts a user to click through and investigate.
Apple users are being targeted by phishing emails that spoof the company in order to steal personal information. These emails are very convincing and look exactly like an email from Apple, but they are not! Let's discuss what these emails look like, how to avoid them, and where to report them if you receive one.
What is Apple?
Apple is an American multinational technology company headquartered in Cupertino, California, that designs, develops, and sells consumer electronics, computer software, and online services. The company's hardware products include the iPhone smartphone, the iPad tablet computer, the Mac personal computer, the iPod portable media player, the Apple Watch smartwatch, and the Apple TV digital media player. Apple's software includes the macOS and iOS operating systems, the iTunes media player, the Safari web browser, and the iWork productivity suite. Its online services include the iTunes Store, the iOS App Store, Mac App Store, Apple Music, Apple TV+, iMessage, and iCloud.
What do Apple phishing emails look like?
These phishing emails look exactly like an email from Apple. They have the same logo, branding, and layout. The only difference is the email address it's coming from and the content of the message. These emails usually contain a sense of urgency or a threat in order to get you to act quickly without thinking. For example, the email might say that your account has been hacked and you need to click on a link to change your password. Or, it might say that there is a problem with your billing information and you need to update it right away. Whatever the message is, it will try to get you to click on a link or attachment.
How can I avoid Apple phishing emails?
There are a few things you can do to avoid these emails:
-Never click on links or attachments in unsolicited emails, even if they look legitimate.
-If you're not expecting an email from Apple, don't open it. Delete it right away.
-Hover over links to see where they will take you before you click on them.
-If you're ever unsure if an email is legitimate, contact Apple directly.
Where to report Apple Phishing Emails
If you receive an apple phishing email, you can forward it to Apple at abuse@apple.com. You can also report it to the Federal Trade Commission at spam@uce.gov.
Apple phishing emails are becoming more common and can be difficult to spot. That's why we're going over some of the ways you can avoid these fake messages from Apple that could result in your personal information being stolen.
How to Protect your team from Apple Phishing Emails
Training and pattern recognition are key to protecting your team from phishing emails. Launch a phishing testing program to your employees to make sure they can identify fake emails. Educate your team on the types of phishing attacks that are currently circulating and what to look for in order to spot them.
