What is a characteristic of phishing emails?

Phishing emails are designed to trick recipients into revealing personal information, and a common characteristic of these emails is that they often contain urgent requests for this information. The urgency is a tactic used by phishers to create a sense of panic or immediate need, prompting individuals to act quickly without thoroughly assessing the situation. These emails may claim that there’s a problem with an account, or that immediate action is required to avoid negative consequences, which can lead individuals to provide sensitive data like passwords, credit card numbers, or social security numbers without careful consideration.

The other characteristics do not align with the nature of phishing emails; for instance, they typically do not come from recognized companies but rather from unverified or spoofed email addresses. Spelling errors may be common, as some phishers do not pay attention to detail, and instead of promoting healthy online behaviors, phishing emails often encourage unsafe practices.