With data breaches occurring at an alarming rate, it’s crucial to safeguard your personal information online. Luckily, there are several ways you can do this. Be wary of unsolicited emails, texts, and Internet messages asking for personal information. It’s also good to vary passwords and keep your social media profiles private.
Don’t click on links
Even if the email or text message isn’t malicious, clicking a link can compromise your device and account. A compromised computer or cellphone can allow hackers to steal information, such as passwords, and gain access to your accounts. Cybercriminals are getting increasingly sneaky and successful at phishing attacks. They can make the emails look very real and convincing and impersonate people you know. Even with the best anti-virus software and web filters, one phishing attack can lead to compromised accounts. It is easy to click without thinking, especially when a link or file is seemingly benign. This can lead to malware, fraud, scams, or simply violating your privacy. It’s essential to take the time to scan every link for red flags, such as misspellings or strange characters. And, as always, keep your computers and devices up to date with the latest updates, and only use reliable Wi-Fi when connecting to the internet. This helps keep your devices and the personal information stored on them protected.
Be wary of unsolicited emails
Phishing attempts to trick you into taking an action that gives hackers access to your device or accounts. That action can be as simple as opening an attachment, clicking on a link, or providing your account login information, passwords, or personal details. Scammers know this and can mimic businesses, organizations, or even people you trust. They are getting better at it, too. You should always think before acting on unsolicited communications that ask for your personal information, especially if the request comes from someone you don’t know or if it is urgent or pressures you to act quickly. Look at the grammar and spelling of the message and its context. Look for a URL that begins with “https” and check the padlock icon to ensure it is secure. Keep your security software, web browser, and operating system updated to the latest versions. Use strong passwords with upper- and lower-case letters, numbers, and special characters. Also, set your social media accounts to private and only connect with friends you know.
Deal directly with the company in question
Phishers are after your sensitive information — account numbers, passwords, credit card info, Social Security number — to steal money from your bank accounts or use it to run up bills on your credit cards. In the worst case, they can leave your identity a mess that could take years to untangle. Often, phishing scams look convincing. Some are clones of legitimate messages, others impersonate people you know or use sketchy “official” organization pages to lure you in. Other attacks, like evil twin phishing, mimic official public Wi-Fi to eavesdrop on your computer or mobile device. To help protect yourself, always deal directly with the company or organization in question. This includes the phone number or email on their website, not a link in a message. Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) for your online accounts, especially financial ones, is also a good idea. In addition, a high-quality firewall is an effective tool that can prevent hackers and phishers from infiltrating your devices or computers. Keeping your browser, operating system, and apps updated with the latest patches will also help.
Don’t open attachments
A phishing scam aims to get you to take action that gives the cybercriminal access to your device, accounts, or personal information like passwords or credit card details. Attacks may include email attachments, links, or text. While all attachments can contain malicious code, opening executable files (ending in.exe,.bat, or. vbs) is hazardous. These files can easily contain viruses and malware that will run as soon as you open them, potentially gaining access to your devices and the data they store. Additionally, emails with attachments that are in a zipped format should be treated with suspicion. These files are not automatically harmful but are more difficult to scan for malicious content and can hide various file types, including malicious software. The most important thing to remember is only to open an attachment if you expect it and the sender is someone you know well.
Hover over links to verify the URL
Phishing attacks are one of the most common types of cyber scams. Fraudsters use phishing emails, fake websites (known as vishing), phone calls or text messages (“smishing“), and social media to steal personal information and money. Some of these messages can even contain malicious links that could infect your device or redirect you to a bogus website. Fortunately, you can follow some simple tips to help reduce the risk of falling victim to a phishing attack. For example, you should always hover over a link before clicking it. This may seem small, but it is essential for your online security. Hovering over a link displays the hidden URL and can confirm its legitimacy. In addition to this tip, you should also use browser extensions or mobile apps that scan links and verify their safety. These services are designed to help you stay safe by analyzing the destination of a link and checking whether it has been reported as spam or contains malware/viruses. By following these tips, you can significantly lower your chances of becoming a victim of a phishing attack.