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FYI- 7 Common Online Scams and How to Avoid Them
As we carry on with our daily lives, we rely heavily on the internet. However, we often do not consider the potential dangers that come with it. Fraudsters from all corners of the world have mastered the art of tricking people into revealing their money and private information. These scammers exploit our vulnerability and willingness to share by using tactics such as misinformation and deception to make us commit security mistakes or disclose sensitive details.
#1 Phishing scams
Phishing attacks have cost victims over $54 million in 2020 alone. It’s important to know how these scams work and how to protect yourself. Cybercriminals often disguise their emails as legitimate sources, such as banks or social media sites, and trick you into clicking on a malicious link. This allows the criminal to install malware and steal your personal information.Beware of a recent Netflix scam where fake emails are sent asking users to update their billing information. Scammers are using Netflix branding to deceive users and threatening to suspend their accounts if they don’t renew their subscriptions with credit card details. Stay alert and don’t fall for this scam. Always carefully check the sites and senders of letters, if the addresses do not match at least a little – these are scammers.
#2 Scam: Online romance
Discover new relationships on dating websites, but watch out for fraudsters who use these platforms to swindle innocent victims. The FBI has identified these scams as the most costly internet-related crimes, with victims losing an average of $100,000. The con artist begins with a fake online romance and wins the victim’s trust before requesting money for personal emergencies or travel expenses. It’s crucial to remain alert and never give financial account access to anyone you meet on the internet.As a senior citizen, it’s crucial to exercise caution while using online dating platforms since scammers often target older adults. Moreover, women are more vulnerable to such malicious activities. If you encounter a scammer, do not hesitate to sever ties and inform the dating website. These simple measures can safeguard you against being tricked.
#3 Ransomware
Beware of cybercriminals who can infect your computer with ransomware, typically through phishing scams. They could encrypt your files and demand payment in cryptocurrency like Bitcoin. Ransomware losses are expected to skyrocket to $265 billion by 2031, so it’s crucial to know how to protect yourself. Watch out for attachments and files in suspicious emails. As a preventative measure, back up your data and download antivirus software that can alert you of potential infections.One of the ways to protect data privacy and your own privacy is VPN. Using the VPN for Chrome extension, you can protect yourself from all attackers who intercept data to hack into your accounts. All you need is to use VPN free online all the time. After activating VeePN, all data is encrypted during transmission between the server and the client, so even intercepted data cannot be decrypted by third parties.
