What action should you take to protect yourself from phishing emails?

To protect yourself from phishing emails, it's crucial to check the sender's email address. This action serves as the first line of defense in identifying whether an email is legitimate or potentially malicious. Phishing emails often come from addresses that may look similar to legitimate ones but have slight variations—a common tactic used by attackers.

By scrutinizing the sender’s email address, you can detect irregularities that indicate a scam. For instance, if the email appears to be from a reputable organization but uses a different domain or a misspelling, it’s likely a phishing attempt. This practice of examining sender details forms an essential part of email security and helps prevent unintended consequences like data breaches or financial loss.

Other methods, while helpful, may not provide the same immediate protection. Clicking on links or trusting attachments from known sources can lead to compromised systems if those sources have been hacked or if the email has been spoofed. Ignoring suspicious emails can also be ineffective, as it does not resolve the threat they pose; instead, verifying the authenticity of the email is a proactive approach. Thus, confirming the sender's email address is a vital step in safeguarding against phishing attacks.