THE ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY IS WARNING ABOUT THE DANGERS OF "PHISHING" EMAILS.

PHISHING EMAILS ARE SENT BY SCAM ARTISTS HOPING TO GET YOU TO REVEAL YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION. THE STATE'S CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER, CHRIS BRITTEN SAYS THE MESSAGE MAY APPEAR TO BE FROM SOMEONE YOU KNOW OR A COMPANY YOU DO BUSINESS WITH, BUT IF ANYTHING LOOKS OFF, BE ON ALERT. HE RECOMMENDS THIS TRICK:

A PHISHING EMAIL MAY LOOK VERY REAL, COMING FROM SOMEONE YOU KNOW OR A BUSINESS YOU FREQUENT. BUT THE STATE'S CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER CHRIS BRITTEN SAYS THE SENDER IS ACTUALLY TRYING TO GET YOU TO GIVE OUT YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION, OR FOLLOW A LINK THAT MAY BE IMBEDDED WITH A VIRUS. HE ADVISES NEVER CLICKING ON A LINK SENT VIA EMAIL OR SOCIAL MEDIA MESSAGE.

BRITTEN SAYS YOU CAN ALSO HOVER YOUR MOUSE OVER THE SENDER'S EMAIL OR THE LINK TO SEE WHETHER THEY ARE THE REAL DEAL OR HAVE A SKETCHY LOOKING ADDRESS.