How to Spot.html Attachments and Why You Should Never Open Them
/Email is still one of the most common ways to communicate, both for personal and business reasons. On the other hand, it’s also a popular way for hackers and malware to spread. The.html files that come with emails are a particularly sneaky threat.
There is harmful code in these files that looks harmless, which can threaten your privacy and digital safety. This guide will show you how to spot.html attachments and tell you why you should never open them.
What are .html Files?
The usual language for making web pages is HTML, which stands for “Hypertext Markup Language.” The code that organizes and shows information on the internet is stored in.html files. Most of the time,.html files are safe to read in a web browser, but they can be harmful when attached to an email.
A lot of the time, cybercriminals send malware, phishing attempts, and other harmful content through.html files. When opened, these attachments can run scripts that are dangerous, take users to fake websites, or trick them into giving away private information. Next, we’ll talk about how you can spot an .html file.
How do you tell when a file is.html?
There are several risks associated with opening .html files. But how can you tell which ones to stay away from? Here are some key points to look for before you click:
Extension for files
This is the easiest way to tell if an attachment is.html: look at the file name. Watch out for email downloads that end in “.html” or “.htm” files. But keep in mind that some email apps may hide file extensions by default, so you need to make sure this setting is turned on in your settings.
Email sources that look sketchy
Watch out for the email address of the writer. Be careful if it comes from a source you don’t know or looks like it’s pretending to be a real contact. Criminals often use fake email addresses to make their messages look more real.
Unexpected attachments
If you get an.html attachment that you didn’t expect, even if it looks like it came from a known source, be careful. Businesses and groups that are honest don’t send important files as.html documents very often.
Language that is urgent or frightening
To get people to open attachments, phishing emails often use threatening language or make the receiver feel like they need to act quickly. Messages that say you need to act right away or that your account will be closed if you don’t are probably not real.
Why should people never open.html attachments?
Now that we’ve covered how you can spot an .html attachment, let’s go over why it’s important not to click on them. Many bad things can happen if you open one of these attachments, including:
Risks to security
When you open an.html file, your device is open to a number of security risks. These files might have dangerous scripts inside that can run on their own and infect your computer with malware, ransomware, or other bad programs.
Attempts at phishing
HTML files are often used in more complex forms of phishing. When opened, they might show a copy that looks a lot like a real website, trying to get people to enter private information like login credentials or financial information.
Drive-by downloads
Drive-by downloads are when malware is downloaded and installed on your device without your knowledge or permission. Some.html attachments are meant to start these downloads.
Attacks using cross-site scripting (XSS)
Cross-site scripting attacks can be done by harmful.html files that take advantage of flaws in web browsers or email apps. Your browser’s cookies, session tokens, and other private data can be stolen by these hacks.
What should you do if you get an .html file?
If you get an .html file in your email, don’t panic. Take these steps immediately once you receive one:
Do not open it
No matter where they come from, the safest thing to do is never open .html files. If you think the attachment might have important information in it, you should call the sender through a different, verified channel to make sure it’s real.
Get rid of the email
If you think the email with the.html file is harmful, get rid of it right away. Don’t respond to the sender or forward the email to other people, as this could make the threat spread by accident.
Report emails that seem sketchy
A lot of email providers have tools built in that let you report phishing efforts or messages that look fishy. These features can help you and others stay safe from possible threats.
Keep your security tools up to date
Make sure that your malware and security software is always up to date. These programs can’t completely protect you from all threats, but they can help you find and stop many common ones.
What can companies do to keep their workers safe?
Receiving sketchy .html files can also be a problem in the workplace. Here are some tips to stay safe:
Set up email filtering
Businesses should have strong email screening systems that can find and delete any questionable attachments, even.html files.
Give lessons on security awareness
Employees can learn to spot possible threats and understand the risks of opening unknown attachments through regular training classes.
Set clear rules for how to communicate
You should set rules for how important company information will be shared. People who work there can use this to tell when a file or request isn’t normal.
Use different types of files
When sharing information, get people to use safer file types like PDFs or Office documents without macros turned on.
Keep Yourself and Your Company Safe
It is impossible to overstate how dangerous malicious.html files are in a world that is becoming more and more digital. You can greatly lower your chances of being a target of these cyberattacks by staying alert, educating yourself and others, and putting in place strong security measures.
BrainStomp wants to help people and businesses find their way through the complicated world of hacking. We can protect your digital assets and teach your staff the best ways to keep emails safe with custom solutions from our team of experts. Do not let a simple.html file put your whole system at risk. Get in touch with us right away to find out how we can help protect your digital future and keep hackers from getting your private data.