The sound of a new email or text alert has become part of your daily routine. Unfortunately, scammers take advantage of this ubiquity with phishing attacks that target your information and wallet. Beware of phishing links, especially those that request your personal information, like your payment details, login credentials, and home address. Always check whether a link is legitimate and hover over its URL to see where it leads.
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Change Your Passwords
Changing your passwords is the first thing you should do if you think you have been phished. It will prevent the attacker from accessing other accounts you may have used the same password for and can also make it harder to find your real passwords if they crack one of your accounts. Always be skeptical of any email, text message or social media post that asks you for your credentials. Even if the sender looks legitimate, slight spelling or formatting differences can likely fool your eye. If you are unsure about any contact, call them directly to verify that they have not tried to scam you.
Existing data breaches have already exposed many passwords and other personal information to hackers, and new phishing attacks are constantly being launched. It is essential to always be on the lookout for phishing scams, especially since you never know which of your accounts could be compromised by a hacker. But what is phishing? Phishing is a technique con artists use to get sensitive data, including credit card numbers, bank account information, and passwords that may be used to access other accounts or for identity theft. Scammers can do this by pretending to be a reputable company or someone you might know.
Check Your Emails
As a rule, don’t click links from unfamiliar or suspicious senders. It will keep your inbox and computer that much safer from malicious attacks. If you see a red flag in an email or instant message, report it immediately to your IT administrator. It will protect other employees and potentially avoid a company-wide data breach. Most phishing scams trick the victim into entering personal information on a fake website. For example, an identity thief could create a website that looks like a major bank and ask for the victim’s PIN or online banking password. They then use this information to access the victim’s bank account. To prevent this from happening, you should never give out your personal information in response to unsolicited requests from emails, text messages, social media posts or other electronic communications, even if the sender claims to be a trusted source.
Installing an anti-phishing toolbar is another great way to protect yourself from phishing scammers. Most Internet browsers allow you to add a special add-on that instantly scans websites and alerts you about known phishing sites. It is an extra layer of protection that is usually free to download and provides the user with another way to keep their systems Cyber Safe.
Back-Up Your Data
Scammers often try to steal sensitive information like passwords, account numbers, or Social Security numbers from unwary victims. With this information, they can loot a victim’s checking account or run up bills on their credit cards. In many cases, it can take years to clear up the damage caused by identity theft. Cybercriminals continuously innovate, making phishing attacks more sophisticated and difficult to spot. Fortunately, there are several ways to protect yourself from phishing scammers. Start by using an internet security software suite that includes anti-virus and firewalls. Update it regularly and install the latest patches. Then, install add-ons to spot malicious websites and alert you of known phishing sites.
Avoid clicking on links that are included in random emails and instant messages. Please hover your mouse over the link to ensure it leads where you think it does. Also, never download files from suspicious websites or links in instant messages. Finally, report phishing emails and texts to the Federal Trade Commission or your email provider. It will help fight fraud and identity theft in the future.
Block Pop-Ups
Scammers always dream of new ways to steal your personal information and money. That’s why it is important to know how to recognize the red flags of phishing. Beware of any message asking for sensitive information, such as passwords, PINs, or two-factor authentication (2FA) codes. Genuine businesses will never request this information over email or SMS. Also, if you receive an email with spelling or grammatical errors, you should refrain from clicking the link and proceed to the company’s official website instead.
In addition to emails, scammers can send phishing attacks through text messages (smishing) or voice calls (vishing). Smishing messages usually include a suspicious backlink and a phone number you’re urged to call. This phishing attack can trick you into downloading malware, stealing your login information, accessing your financial accounts, or both. Always use a pop-up blocker and update your anti-virus software to prevent phishing attacks. Many anti-virus programs include special signatures updated regularly to guard against technology workarounds and loopholes that phishers may try to exploit. Moreover, a firewall can help protect your device and data from hackers. Additionally, you should install a personal VPN on your device and avoid using public Wi-Fi to protect yourself from Man-in-the-Middle attacks. Also, remember to back up your devices regularly and keep them up to date.
