The Anatomy of a Phishing Email (With Examples)
Phishing emails have come a long way from the hilariously obvious scams of the early 2000s. Today, they’re more convincing, better designed, and — worst of all — more effective. Knowing how to spot a phishing email can mean the difference between avoiding a breach… or becoming the next cautionary tale.
Let’s break down the anatomy of a phishing email — using real examples and highlighting the red flags you should never ignore.
What is Phishing?
Phishing is a type of social engineering attack where cybercriminals pose as trusted entities to trick people into giving up sensitive information — like passwords, credit card numbers, or access credentials. These emails may look like they’re from your boss, your bank, or even your favorite app.
Key Elements to Watch For
Let’s dissect a classic phishing email and highlight where the danger hides:
1. Weird or Slightly Off Email Address
Example: ceo@exchanqedefender.com instead of ceo@exchangedefender.com
A single letter can be all it takes to trick someone. Always double-check the sender’s email. If it looks “off,” it probably is.
👉 Pro Tip: Hover over the sender’s email or tap to reveal full details.
2. Urgent or Threatening Language
Example: “Your account has been suspended due to suspicious activity. Click below to restore access.”
Scammers want you to act fast without thinking. Anything that demands “immediate action” is likely designed to panic you into clicking.
3. Generic Greetings
Example: “Dear user” or “Hi customer”
If it’s a real company emailing you, they probably know your name. Phishing emails often use vague intros to cast a wide net.
4. Suspicious Links or Attachments
Example: A button that says “Restore Account” but links to a random URL like http://secure-login-info.com
Always hover before you click. If the URL doesn’t match the legitimate site, run far away (and don’t open attachments either).
5. Spelling + Grammar Errors
Even today, many phishing emails are riddled with typos and weird formatting.
Example: “You acount has been suspened. Click hear to restore”
You’d be surprised how many people overlook this — don’t be one of them.
✅ How to Protect Yourself
- Slow down. Urgency is a tactic.
- Verify. If in doubt, call or message the sender directly (don’t reply).
- Train your team. Run phishing simulations regularly.
- Use protection. Email filtering tools like ExchangeDefender can stop threats before they hit your inbox.
Phishing emails rely on one thing: human error. But with awareness, training, and the right tools, you can turn your team into a human firewall. Learn what to look for — and don’t let the phish hook you.
Want to test your team’s phishing detection skills?
👉 Try our free phishing simulation today
Stay safe. Stay alert. Stay unphished.