How do I recognize a fake or scam email (phishing)?

Contents

• What is Phishing?
• Recognizing Phishing Emails
• What genuine Jimdo emails look like
• What to Do if You Suspect Phishing
• Additional Tips for Staying Safe

What is Phishing?

Phishing is a form of online fraud where scammers attempt to obtain personal data, such as passwords, credit card numbers, or other sensitive information, through fake messages. Phishing emails or messages often appear to come from trusted companies or individuals and put the recipient under pressure to act quickly. The goal is to gain the recipient’s trust so they click on links or reveal personal information.

Recognizing Phishing emails

Phishing emails often look like regular messages from colleagues or well-known companies. Here are some common signs to help you spot suspicious emails and respond appropriately:

1. Suspicious Sender
   Carefully check the sender’s email address. Phishing emails often come from addresses that are slightly altered or misspelled. If you’re using Jimdo Webmail, you can view the full email header by going to More > View full Header. There, under From, you can see the exact email address from which the message was sent.
   If you're using a different email program, you can find instructions for locating email headers here.
   Tip for Mobile Users
   On mobile devices, the header can be accessed through the "Details" or "More options" feature in your email app. The steps vary depending on the app, so it’s helpful to look for a “View Header” option in the app’s settings.
2. Unusual Language or Foreign Language
   Another warning sign is the language used in the email. If you usually receive messages in German from a company but suddenly get one in English or another foreign language, it could be a phishing attempt.
3. Alarming or Vague Language
   General or urgent messages like “Your account will be deactivated” are often red flags for phishing. Legitimate companies usually address you personally and reference specific details.
4. Grammar and Spelling Errors
   Typos or poor grammar are often red flags. Legitimate companies pay attention to clear and accurate communication.
5. Suspicious Links and Attachments
   Hover over links to check the URL before clicking. Avoid unknown links and don’t download unexpected attachments. Tip for Mobile Users: On mobile devices, it can be harder to check URLs since there’s no easy way to hover. Instead, press and hold the link to preview the URL without opening it. This will help you see where the link leads without actually navigating to it. Always be cautious with unknown links or attachments, as they may pose a security risk.
6. Requests for Personal Information
   If an email asks for passwords, payment information, other sensitive details, or includes an unexpected invoice, be cautious. Reliable companies won’t ask for such information via email.

Here is an example with a non-Jimdo email address as the sender and the address in the payment link has nothing to do with Jimdo either. 

What genuine Jimdo emails look like

If you've received an email that claims to be from Jimdo and you're not sure whether it's real, here's what to check:

• Sender address: Genuine Jimdo emails always come from an @jimdo.com address. As mentioned above, scammers can fake this, so if anything else feels off, check the full header rather than relying on the address alone.
• What we actually email you about: Jimdo sends emails for things like password resets you requested, changes to your account (email address, password), invoices, and product updates. We never email you out of the blue asking you to confirm your password, payment details, or other sensitive information.
• Links in the email: If you're ever unsure whether a link in an email is genuinely from Jimdo, don't click it. Instead, log in to your Jimdo account directly by typing jimdo.com into your browser, or go to the relevant section (e.g. billing, account settings) from there.

Still not sure? If you're unsure whether an email is really from Jimdo, don't reply to it or click any links in it. Contact our support team directly instead, they can confirm whether it's genuine. Find out how to contact Support.

What to do if you suspect Phishing

If you think an email might be a phishing attempt, you can take the following steps:

• Don’t click or download anything
  Avoid clicking on any links or downloading attachments.
• Verify the sender
  Visit the company’s official website and use their contact information to confirm the email’s legitimacy.
• Check for unexpected invoices
  Log in directly to your Jimdo account and go to the billing section to check for any open invoices. This way, you can ensure that all payment information comes directly from your account.
• Report the email
  Mark the email as spam. This helps block similar emails in the future.

Additional tips for staying safe

For added security, consider these steps:

• Use Strong, Unique Passwords
  Strong passwords are your first line of defense. A mix of letters, numbers, and symbols helps create a secure password. To make it easier, you can use a password generator or visit a reliable site that offers guidance on creating strong passwords. Many password managers also include generators to help create and securely store your passwords.
• Keep Your Software Up to Date
  Regular updates close security gaps that phishing attempts may try to exploit.

By staying alert and following these steps, you can protect yourself and your data. If you need more help or have questions, our support team is here for you!