Take this 2017 phishing textbook for Google Docs users: people receive emails that are almost like a shared document, and they deceive them into giving them access to not-so-nice software. From there, the attack can spread to other inboxes because emails are an easy and inexpensive way to get people to reduce their attention.

With that in mind, we're here to ensure that your inbox is strictly protected from phishing attempts, malicious attachments, and more. While we can't guarantee your safety, these precautions will definitely reduce your risk.

Fight against phishing

Whether you use Gmail online as a desktop application like Microsoft Outlook, your email service already has a decent set of security tools. For example, it can select suspicious emails and they automatically fall into your spam folder. To help, report spam when you find it to make it easier for the program to find something wrong in the future.

Beware of any email that asks you to click on a link, especially if it's out of context - and especially if it's from someone you don't know. Phishing emails may appear to be trusted contacts, but they often come from someone else's email addresses. To recheck the sender's identity and retrieve the complete information in the suspicious email headers. To do this in Gmail, for example, open the drop-down menu (three vertical dots) to the right of the message and select Show Original. Unfortunately, even a message from a known contact with the correct email address may not be secure. As we said, if one of your friends or family is affected by a phishing attack, his or her valid email address can be used to send a dangerous message. This means that context is key. Are you expecting a message with a link to it? Is the message fair? If you are unsure, it pays to call or send an SMS to verify that the e-mail is what it pretends to be. Before opening the attachments, ask yourself the same questions: Did you expect that? what is the context

Hackers have improved in their craft, but spelling mistakes and poor layout are still hallmarks of emails that you must avoid (spelling mistakes should always be omitted to prevent spam). Another check you can do is hover over any links or attachments, which can lead by example and alert you to potential issues before you click. When you click the link, make sure the URL in your browser's address bar matches your expectations, and look for a green padlock symbol to indicate that the page is safe and reliable. If a login page appears - or if in doubt - open a new window and enter the URL directly from the page you think you need to go to, instead of following all the embedded links. This will prevent you from entering the login details directly into the hands of a hacker.

Browser extensions can also protect you from phishing attacks. Gmail sender icons make it easier to identify where a message is coming from, while Google's own Password Protector alerts you if you've already entered your Google Account password on a page that wasn't created by Google. Both add-ons are worth installing if you have a Gmail account and use Chrome. Not a Gmail or Chrome user? Find add-ons that work with your own email client.

Take security out of your inbox

Protecting against malicious links and malicious attachments is more than just your inbox. For example, most modern browsers have built-in security measures to prevent phishing attempts. For best results, keep the selected browser up to date (fortunately, browsers usually update automatically).

Keep your operating system and antivirus package up to date. If you use a Windows antivirus program, it probably has additional security measures to protect against dangerous add-ons that could harm your computer, as well as fraudulent links that lead to your browser, where you don't have to go.

Remember the basic security precautions of e-mail

As mentioned earlier, it's always a good idea to make sure plug-ins and add-ons are attached to your inbox. Detects all third-party programs that have access to your Gmail, Yahoo, or Outlook account. This is actually the recommended cleanup method for the Google Docs phishing attack we addressed at the beginning of this article - removing application permissions means it no longer has control over your inbox.

The location of this additional tool will vary depending on your settings. For Gmail, go to the Google Accounts page and click the Data and Privacy link. Then scroll down to the header with details about the applications and services you use. Clicking on the Applications and Services content stored by Google services will remove all services operated by Google or third party applications with access to remove anything you don't always use or just don't recognize. To be clear, many of these supplements are useful and completely safe. But from a safety point of view, it is good to keep the number of these devices to a minimum.

Finally, stay tuned: Watch the technology heads keep up with the new types of attacks that are constantly appearing. While Google, Microsoft, and other companies often deal with the latest threats quickly, it's better to hear about risky fraud before it gets in your inbox than after.