Phishing emails will usually ask you to do one of the following:

• Open an attachment or file (will pose as an invoice, brochure, picture of Miley Cyrus, etc.)

• Follow a deceptive link (amazon.store.com is not amazon.com)

• Install malicious software

• Give-up personal information (bank account information, username/password, your favorite brand of toilet paper)

• Follow malicious instructions

Phishing - A method used by cyber-criminals for stealing something from individual email users. 

• If you have an email address -- they will email you. 

• This usually has a low rate of success as it greatly depends on its relevance to you (if you actually have a PayPal account, Twitter account, bank at whatever financial institution). Obviously, if you don't have a Dropbox account, never heard of Dropbox, or prefer cardboard box... then it's safe to say the email you just got was a phishing attempt.

SPIM - (Not to be confused with SPAM - the wholesome meat based "food") is when scammers utilize SMS and instant messaging to contact their targets.

• Click here to claim your prize!!! -- Oops! You must log-in with your Facebook account first (we've conveniently provided this totally-not-suspicious log-in box)

Vishing - is a technique where cyber-criminals try to scam a target using phone calls.

• I'll let you in on a little secret... As 'wonderful' as Microsoft is -- they will not be calling you about your slow PC. They're busy breaking it with Windows updates.

• Don't panic! The robotic sounding voice on the line is not actually the IRS threatening to send the Sheriff's department to your house to sell you an extended car warranty. 

Advanced_Fee_Scam (AKA the Nigerian 419 scam) - The attacker will contact a target and claim to be looking for help moving a large sum of money. The attacker will usually claim to be in distress and play to a victim's empathetic side(if you have sociopathic tendencies feel free to skip this section)

• The scam usually plays out with a wealthy Nigerian businessman or Prince who is in desperate need of your help -- I mean, who else would they contact?

• Once they build their victim's confidence (ahem.. promise them a boat-load of money) they will usually ask for banking information or up-front money to help move their 'fortune'.

• Then the victim ends up super rich, buys a Ferrari, and spends their days relaxing in the Caribbean... er, actually the scammer disappears and takes your money. 

Cat_Phishing - is where a cyber-criminal will develop a trusting relationship (by creating a fake online persona) which they'll leverage to exploit their victim for money or other favors. 

• As exciting as it would be... Beyonce is NOT leaving Jay-Z to live with you in your parents' basement. 

• Ever wonder why your online love interest never calls you? Usually it's hard for middle-aged Russian men to sound like 21-year old Swedish super-models... just sayin'.

Pharming (this Ph- thing is trendy) - is a technique where a cyber-criminal will author a fake/replica website (copy of a legit site) to steal a victim's credentials.

• The link in your email with the text "DefinitelyYourBank.com" actually leads to the URL "Def1n1telyY0urBank.net" and entering your credentials will probably not "Fix the issues with your account immediately". 

• Other greatest hits include: Fake Facebook login, replica PayPal login, illegitimate Amazon login, etc.

• Essentially, never log-in to any websites through an email unless you requested it -- just go to the website.