“Salary Review” Email Scam: Protect Yourself From Phishing Attacks

Cybercriminals are always looking for ways to exploit vulnerabilities, and one of their primary tools is phishing emails. A recent scam, titled “Salary Review,” masquerades as a legitimate message from HR or payroll departments. It aims to trick recipients into entering their credentials on a fake salary review portal.

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Threat Overview

The table below summarizes the key details of the “Salary Review” email scam:

Aspect	Details
Threat Type	Phishing, Scam, Social Engineering
Associated Email Addresses	Commonly spoofed HR or payroll department emails (e.g., hr@[company].com, payroll@[company].com). Not tied to specific addresses.
Detection Names	“Salary Review Phishing,” “HR Portal Scam,” “Fake Salary Review Login”
Symptoms	Unauthorized account activity, changed email passwords, identity theft, financial losses, unauthorized purchases, or malware infections.
Damage	Stolen credentials, identity theft, monetary loss, corporate network infections, reputational damage, misuse of personal data, spread of malware.
Distribution Methods	Deceptive phishing emails, rogue online ads, fake HR messages, search engine poisoning, and misspelled domains.
Danger Level	High

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What Is the "Salary Review" Scam?

The "Salary Review" scam is a phishing campaign designed to deceive users into believing that their organization has launched a new portal for reviewing salaries and performance. The scam email typically includes an official-sounding subject, such as "ANNOUNCEMENT OF SALARY REVIEW AND PORTAL ACCESS." Inside the email, recipients are provided with a link to a supposed portal where they can access performance reviews, submit accomplishments, and track salary updates.

Once victims click on the link, they are redirected to a fake website mimicking their company's email login page. Any credentials entered are captured by the scammers, who can then gain unauthorized access to email accounts and potentially other linked services.

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Consequences of Falling Victim

The risks associated with the "Salary Review" scam go far beyond the immediate loss of account access. Some of the most serious consequences include:

• Account Hijacking: Scammers can use stolen credentials to take control of email accounts and linked platforms.
• Identity Theft: Criminals may impersonate victims to request money, endorse scams, or spread malware.
• Corporate Network Infection: By accessing work accounts, cybercriminals can deploy ransomware, trojans, and other malicious software to compromise an entire organization.
• Financial Loss: Victims may experience unauthorized transactions, including online purchases or fraudulent money transfers.
• Reputational Damage: Misuse of an account to spread spam, malware, or scams can tarnish a victim's personal or professional reputation.

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Removing the Threat

If you have interacted with the phishing email or suspect your device has been compromised, follow these steps:

Disconnect From the Internet

Immediately disconnect from the internet to prevent malware from spreading further or communicating with remote servers.

Scan Your Device With SpyHunter

SpyHunter is a trusted anti-malware tool that can help detect and remove phishing-related infections. Follow these steps:

1. Download and install SpyHunter.
2. Launch the program and run a full system scan.
3. Review the scan results to identify and remove threats.
4. Restart your device to complete the cleanup process.

Change Compromised Credentials

After securing your device, change the passwords of affected accounts. Use strong, unique passwords for each account, and enable two-factor authentication (2FA) where available.

Notify Relevant Parties

Inform your employer or IT department if you accessed the phishing link using a work account. Additionally, notify any services linked to the compromised email.

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Preventive Measures to Avoid Future Phishing Attacks

Prevention is the best defense against phishing scams. Here are some actionable tips to protect yourself:

1. Verify Email Senders: Always check the sender's email address for inconsistencies or misspelled domains.
2. Avoid Clicking on Suspicious Links: Hover over links to preview their destination. If the URL looks unfamiliar, do not click.
3. Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Adding a second layer of security can prevent unauthorized access even if your credentials are stolen.
4. Educate Yourself and Your Team: Attend cybersecurity awareness training to recognize phishing attempts and other online threats.
5. Install Anti-Malware Software: Use reliable tools like SpyHunter to monitor and protect your devices from malicious software.
6. Keep Software Updated: Regularly update your operating system and applications to patch security vulnerabilities.
7. Monitor Account Activity: Regularly check your email and financial accounts for unauthorized activity.