Don’t be a victim
By now you’ve probably heard of phishing, and what it attempts to do. If you’ve had an email address sometime in the last decade, you’ve probably gotten a phishing email before. Perhaps you’ve heard from a Nigerian prince looking to send you a large sum of money, or you’ve been targeted by a scammer posing as a loved one in danger. Cybersecurity threats like those are common place and usually fairly easy to spot, but there are scams out there that have even the most tech-savvy users falling victim. So, what should you be on the lookout for?
Email Scams
In January of 2017, a Gmail phishing scam made the news because of the sheer number of tech-savvy users who fell for a sophisticated cybersecurity threat. The email contained a link, when clicked the link routed users to a mock Gmail login—even the web address looked correct. The entire thing was a scam, which allowed hackers to gain access to thousands of accounts. When victims entered their name and password, their details were handed over to the hacker who then gained control over their email accounts.
The scam became even spookier because it utilized a contact’s email address to send out the email that the victim’s friends and family members received, making it look like a trusted source. To avoid this problem, it is best to enable two-step verification for your email address. This ensures that when a new device attempts to log into your account, you’ll need to verify the login from your cell phone. Without the second step, hackers can’t access your information or your account.
Malware Scams
Not all cybersecurity threats are confined to your inbox, but they all start there. Recently, some individuals have received phone calls from people posing as Windows Tech Support, or have received emails allegedly from Windows reps. They talk victims into installing software that is sure to “remove a virus,” but really it’s simply installing a Trojan horse onto the PC. After the phisher has gained access to your computer, they will request payment to remove the virus. This ransomware phishing scam can begin in an email, or happen over the phone. If you receive a call or email like this, experts suggest hanging up and calling Windows’ official hotline at 877.696.7786. Logging complaints help the company track potential cybersecurity threats and warn others before they fall prey to the same scam.
Financial Scams
Banks are also often used to entice readers to click links and download messages. Spoofed email addresses, masquerading as official Chase email communications, prompted users to download an attachment to read their daily report. From there, victims were sent to a web address that required the login for their Chase accounts to continue. Once they entered their passwords, a hacker officially had access to the delicate and private information stored in a checking account. In some cases, hackers were able to utilize the accounts to make purchases or obtain personal identifying information.
How to Avoid Falling Victim
While these cybersecurity threats have netted more than a few victims, including tech-savvy users, being informed can prevent you from falling victim to scams. Experts suggest users avoid opening emails from individuals they do not know, and to avoid following links. If you do follow a link, always look for the lock icon in the address bar to ensure the website is encrypted. Finally, if you aren’t sure about the email, contact the sender directly. For example, if the email claims to be from PayPal or your local bank, contact the customer service numbers associated with the company. This can help keep you safe, and alert businesses to potential phishing scams using their company name as bait.
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