What Is a Phishing Attack? How to Spot and Prevent Phishing in the UK

What Is Phishing?

Phishing attacks are one of the most common forms of cybercrime affecting individuals and businesses across the UK. These scams are designed to trick you into revealing sensitive information such as passwords, bank details, or personal data.

In phishing attacks, criminals impersonate legitimate organisations such as banks, HMRC, delivery services, or well-known brands to steal your information. Typical tactics of phishing scams include:

  • Urgent messages like “Your account will be locked”
  • Fake login pages that steal your credentials
  • Malicious links that install malware on your device
  • Requests for sensitive information

These scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated, often using official logos, realistic email addresses, and convincing language.

Common Types of Phishing in the UK

Cybercriminals are constantly evolving their methods. The most common types in the UK are:

  • Email Phishing: Fraudulent emails that appear to come from legitimate companies, often asking you to click a link or download an attachment.
  • SMS Phishing (Smishing): Text messages claiming to be from delivery companies, banks, or government services. These often include links to fake websites.
  • Voice Phishing (Vishing): Phone calls from scammers pretending to be from your bank, broadband provider, or even law enforcement.
  • Spear Phishing: Targeted attacks aimed at specific individuals or organisations, often using personalised information to appear more credible.

Each method is designed to appear credible and pressure you into acting quickly.

How to Protect Yourself from Phishing

Phishing attacks rely on deception but awareness is your best defence. By recognising the signs and following best practices, you can protect your personal information and reduce the risk of becoming a victim.

Taking a few simple precautions can significantly reduce your risk:

  • Verify the Source: Always double-check the sender’s details. If in doubt, contact the organisation directly using official contact information.
  • Don’t Click Suspicious Links: Hover over links before clicking, and avoid downloading unexpected attachments.
  • Use Strong Passwords: Create unique passwords for each account and consider using a password manager.
  • Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Adding an extra layer of security can prevent unauthorised access even if your password is compromised.
  • Keep Software Updated: Ensure your devices, browsers, and security software are up to date.
  • Install Reliable Security Software: Use trusted cybersecurity tools to detect and block phishing attempts before they reach you.

As today’s phishing scams use AI, deepfakes and sophisticated deception techniques, personal vigilance is not always enough to detect these scams. A comprehensive security solution such as Trend Micro Premium Security Suite keeps you one step ahead of the scams and helps to:

  • Block malicious links before you click
  • Detect scam websites in real time with Trend Micro ScamCheck
  • Receive instant alerts for suspicious activity
  • Protect your identity and financial data

Secure your digital life so you can browse, bank and connect with confidence and stay one step ahead of cybercriminals.

Choose the best security for all your devices

12 Months
24 Months
 
Basic
Trend Micro
Antivirus+ Security

Protection against complex threats

£14.95

Automatically renews at £19.95/year, unless the renewal is cancelled.

Save £5.00 the first year.
Subscribe Learn More
See subscription details here
Features
    Top Features
  • Secures PC and Mac
  • Antivirus, malware, ransomware, & spyware protection
  • Keeps children safe online
    Top Features
  • Secures PC and Mac
  • Antivirus, malware, ransomware, & spyware protection
  • Keeps children safe online
 
Better
Trend Micro
Internet Security

Advanced online protection

£39.95

Automatically renews at £59.95/year, unless the renewal is cancelled.

Save £20.00 the first year.
Subscribe Learn More
See subscription details here
Features
    Top Features
  • Secures PC and Mac
  • Antivirus, malware, ransomware, & spyware protection
  • Keeps children safe online
  • Secures online banking and shopping
  • Secures privacy on social media
  • Pauses notifications during gaming
    Top Features
  • Secures PC and Mac
  • Antivirus, malware, ransomware, & spyware protection
  • Keeps children safe online
  • Secures online banking and shopping
  • Secures privacy on social media
  • Pauses notifications during gaming
Best
Trend Micro
Maximum Security

Comprehensive online security and antivirus protection

£49.95

Automatically renews at £79.95/year, unless the renewal is cancelled.

Save £30.00 the first year.
Subscribe Learn More
See subscription details here
Features
    Top Features
  • Secures PC, Mac, and Mobile devices
  • Antivirus, malware, ransomware, & spyware protection
  • Keeps children safe online
  • Protects webmail from scams and phishing attacks
  • Secures online banking and shopping
  • Secures privacy on social media
  • Pauses notifications during gaming
  • NEW! Protects AI applications from tampering and abuse
    Top Features
  • Secures PC, Mac, and Mobile devices
  • Antivirus, malware, ransomware, & spyware protection
  • Keeps children safe online
  • Protects webmail from scams and phishing attacks
  • Secures online banking and shopping
  • Secures privacy on social media
  • Pauses notifications during gaming
  • NEW! Protects AI applications from tampering and abuse
 
Exceptional
Trend Micro
Premium Security Suite

Complete device security, identity protection and scam prevention

£79.95

Automatically renews at £119.95/year, unless the renewal is cancelled.

Save £40.00 the first year.
Subscribe Learn More
See subscription details here
Features
Easy Steps
How It Works
  • Select Product

    Selecting the right product for your online protection. Tailored to meet your specific needs.

  • Choose Plan

    Choose your plan that reflects how many devices and how long you want to protect.

  • Login/Register

    Take the first step towards a more secured digital life and peace of mind by registering today.

  • Make Payment

    We offer a variety of secure payment methods to make your payment process convenient and hassle-free.

Trend Micro Security Products Customer Reviews

Why Buy from the Official Trend Micro Store?

Trend Micro Trustworthy Security Software Company Icon
Latest Products & Offers

Get the latest deals across our entire range of security products for all your internet-connected devices.

Trend Micro as Experienced Security Software Company Icon
Simple & Easy

Buying online is only a few clicks away. If you require help, our online support is available 24x7 via email or chat.

100% Money Back Guarantee with Trend Micro Security Icon
Total Peace of Mind

Stay continuously protected with the latest version and automatic renewal on checkout — removing the hassle of renewing manually every year.

Why do you need Trend Micro Antivirus?
Trend Micro Antivirus Security Awards Icon
Award-Winning Protection

Trend Micro has the highest quality solutions and the best security protection, as recognised through awards by independent tester AV-Test since 2003.

Trend Micro Trustworthy Security Software Company Icon
Trusted by Millions

Dedicated to assuring 100% customer satisfaction. Our security experts are ready to assist you 24x7.

Trend Micro as Experienced Security Software Company Icon
35 Years of Innovation

Thirty-five years of experience and innovation guarantees only the best internet security and antivirus protection.

100% Money Back Guarantee with Trend Micro Security Icon
100% Money Back Guarantee

Enjoy a 30-day money-back satisfaction guarantee when you purchase through the Trend Micro online shop.

Get Advanced Protection with
Trend Micro Premium Security Suite

If you’re looking for advanced antivirus protection with anti-scam software and identity theft protection, consider Premium Security Suite. It provides full device and identity safeguarding for PC, Mac, smartphones and tablets.

Highlights of Premium Security Suite include:

  • Protect PCs, Macs, mobile phones and tablets
  • Antivirus, malware, ransomware, & spyware protection
  • Guard against identity theft with dark web monitoring
  • Anti-track and Ad-blocker to stop third parties from collecting your data
  • Protect and manage passwords
  • Keep children safe online
  • Secure VPN to protect your privacy
  • Covers out-of-pocket expenses if you become a victim of identity theft or fraud.
  • 24/7 Resolution specialists will provide personal guidance if you're the victim of identity theft. *
  • Anti-scam to detect AI scams, warn users of deepfake scams during video call, filter spam texts and block unsafe websites
  • 24x7 unlimited technical support and emergency assistance
Read more about Premium Security Suite

Subscribe now

* ID Theft Restoration and Up to $1 Million Identity Fraud Insurance only applies to the registered user (excludes free and trial users).



Maximum Security


Mobile Security


ID Protection


VPN


Trend Micro ScamCheck

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you know if you are phished?

You might be a victim of phishing if you notice the following signs:

  • Unexpected Requests: You receive unexpected emails, text messages, or calls asking for personal information, passwords, or payment details.
  • Urgency or Fear: Messages create a sense of urgency, fear of consequences (like account closure), or promises of rewards to prompt immediate action.
  • Suspicious Links: Emails contain links that seem odd or lead to unfamiliar websites. Hover over links (without clicking) to check their destination.
  • Spelling and Grammar Mistakes: Phishing emails often contain spelling or grammatical errors that legitimate organizations typically avoid.
  • Unusual Attachments: Be cautious of unexpected attachments, especially from unknown senders, as they could contain malware.
  • Mismatched URLs: Check the URL of the website you're directed to—it may look similar to a legitimate site but could have slight variations.
  • Requests for Sensitive Information: Be wary of requests for passwords, Social Security numbers, credit card details, or other personal information.

If you suspect you've been phished, avoid interacting further with the message or links, report it to your IT or security team, and monitor your accounts for any unauthorized activity.

How Trend Micro security softwares can protect us from phishing attacks?

Trend Micro security software offers robust protection against phishing attacks through multiple layers of defense. It employs advanced email scanning capabilities to detect and block phishing emails containing suspicious links or attachments that may lead to malicious websites or malware downloads. Trend Micro's anti-phishing technology uses advanced analysis to spot and stop phishing attempts by checking email content, URLs, and how websites behave.URL filtering further enhances security by ng sites, automatically blocking access to flagged sites and alerting users to potential risks. With these proactive measures and continuous updates, Trend Micro security software helps users maintain a secure online environment and mitigate the risks posed by phishing attacks effectively.

How to protect against phishing scams?

To protect yourself against phishing scams, follow these proactive steps:

  • Education and Awareness: Stay informed about common phishing tactics and how to recognize phishing attempts. Regularly educate yourself and your team members about the latest phishing techniques.
  • Verify Sender Identity: Always verify the authenticity of emails and messages. Check sender email addresses and contact information directly using trusted sources.
  • Think Before Clicking: Avoid clicking on links or downloading attachments from unfamiliar or suspicious sources. Hover over links to preview their destination URL before clicking.
  • Use Security Tools: Install and maintain reputable antivirus software, anti-phishing tools, and email filters. These tools can help detect and block phishing attempts before they reach your inbox.
  • Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Activate 2FA on your accounts to add an extra layer of security. Even if your password is compromised, 2FA can help prevent unauthorized access.
  • Keep Software Updated: Regularly update your operating system, software applications, and browsers with the latest security patches. This helps protect against vulnerabilities that phishers may exploit.
  • Be Cautious with Personal Information: Avoid sharing sensitive information such as passwords, Social Security numbers, or financial details via email or on unfamiliar websites.
  • Report and Respond: Immediately report any suspicious emails or phishing attempts to your IT or security team. If you have interacted with a phishing email, change your passwords and monitor your accounts for any unusual activity.

Who is Trend Micro?

Trend Micro is an industry leader in antivirus protection and internet security, with more than 35 years of security software experience in keeping millions of users safe. Trend Micro Security secures your connected world providing protection against malware, ransomware, spyware, and cyber threats that could compromise your online experience. It also helps protect you from identity theft, viruses, online scams, and other emerging threats.

Learn More

Need Support?

Need help installing your software? You can view our online tutorials to help get you up and running; or if you'd prefer to contact us, you can chat, email, or call one of our technical support engineers.

Get Support