What could be a sign of phishing attempts?

A sign of phishing attempts is unexpected requests for sensitive information. Phishing attacks often involve tricking individuals into providing personal data such as passwords, credit card numbers, or Social Security numbers, typically through deceptive emails or messages that appear legitimate. When users receive communications asking for confidential information that they weren't anticipating or that seem out of context, it is a strong indicator that they might be facing a phishing attempt.

In contrast, emails from known contacts may be secure, and high-level security notifications serve to inform users about possible threats rather than malicious attempts. System performance improvements are unrelated to phishing and do not indicate any kind of security issue. Thus, recognizing unexpected requests for sensitive information is crucial in identifying potential phishing attempts and protecting oneself from cyber threats.