Protect yourself from scams! A cybersecurity expert reveals the four words you should AVOID clicking on online
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In this digital age that we live in, financial transactions, online shopping, and socialising can all be done from our computer screens and smartphones—but that convenience comes at a cost.
Cybercriminals who try to take advantage of this by monitoring your online habits and activities have become widespread, leaving many users vulnerable to scams.
So, to stay safe online, a cybersecurity expert from McAfee has revealed the four words you should never click on in a pop-up window, as it could lead to your bank account being drained.
Those words?
‘Agree,’ ‘OK,’ ‘No’, and ‘Yes.’
'Never click “Agree”, “OK”, “No”, or “Yes” in a pop-up, as these actions can trigger an automatic spyware download,' the expert warned.
Spyware can record sensitive personal and financial information, such as usernames, passwords, and credit card numbers, stealthily or without your knowledge.
Despite the possibility of spyware being installed through a hacker’s physical access to your device, there are higher chances of it being installed due to the user’s online behaviour.
These fraudsters will trick people into believing that they are installing something else when, in fact, the user has already downloaded bank-draining software onto their device.
The expert reminds everyone to be mindful when scrolling through a dubious-looking website, as messages may randomly appear on the screen asking you to download a file or software. They added that it’s crucial not to download anything from sources that are not reliable.
'Instead, close the pop-up by hitting the red X or shutting down your browser altogether,' they said.
However, avoiding suspicious-looking pop-up messages is not the only way to ward off this invasive software.
It is also highly recommended to keep your operating system up to date on your gadgets, regardless of whether it is Windows or macOS on computers and laptops or Android or iOS on smartphones, as the latest updates often include patches that fix vulnerabilities on your device.
Updating your devices will make it more difficult for spyware or malicious software to take over your device.
Moreover, keeping your web browser to the latest and safest version is also necessary.
These tips come after an ex-cyber criminal with alias '404'—who started hacking at 18—shared how to spot scam emails that may land in your inbox.
404, who did eight years of unlawful online work, warns people to keep an eye out for phishing emails, the most common tool used to scam vulnerable users.
'Tactics like phishing, sending fake emails, or creating replica websites were used to trick individuals into revealing personal or financial information,' 404 explained.
'People can avoid them by being sceptical of unsolicited communications and verifying the authenticity of the sender.'
He also said to look for spelling and grammar mistakes, carefully examine the sender's email address, and check if it is from an authentic sender or organisation.
Members, what are your thoughts on these tips? What are your other tips on staying safe online? Let us know in the comments below!
Cybercriminals who try to take advantage of this by monitoring your online habits and activities have become widespread, leaving many users vulnerable to scams.
So, to stay safe online, a cybersecurity expert from McAfee has revealed the four words you should never click on in a pop-up window, as it could lead to your bank account being drained.
Those words?
‘Agree,’ ‘OK,’ ‘No’, and ‘Yes.’
Cybersecurity expert reveals the four common words on pop-up windows that online users should avoid clicking. Image source: Freepik.
'Never click “Agree”, “OK”, “No”, or “Yes” in a pop-up, as these actions can trigger an automatic spyware download,' the expert warned.
Spyware can record sensitive personal and financial information, such as usernames, passwords, and credit card numbers, stealthily or without your knowledge.
Despite the possibility of spyware being installed through a hacker’s physical access to your device, there are higher chances of it being installed due to the user’s online behaviour.
These fraudsters will trick people into believing that they are installing something else when, in fact, the user has already downloaded bank-draining software onto their device.
The expert reminds everyone to be mindful when scrolling through a dubious-looking website, as messages may randomly appear on the screen asking you to download a file or software. They added that it’s crucial not to download anything from sources that are not reliable.
'Instead, close the pop-up by hitting the red X or shutting down your browser altogether,' they said.
However, avoiding suspicious-looking pop-up messages is not the only way to ward off this invasive software.
It is also highly recommended to keep your operating system up to date on your gadgets, regardless of whether it is Windows or macOS on computers and laptops or Android or iOS on smartphones, as the latest updates often include patches that fix vulnerabilities on your device.
Updating your devices will make it more difficult for spyware or malicious software to take over your device.
Moreover, keeping your web browser to the latest and safest version is also necessary.
These tips come after an ex-cyber criminal with alias '404'—who started hacking at 18—shared how to spot scam emails that may land in your inbox.
404, who did eight years of unlawful online work, warns people to keep an eye out for phishing emails, the most common tool used to scam vulnerable users.
'Tactics like phishing, sending fake emails, or creating replica websites were used to trick individuals into revealing personal or financial information,' 404 explained.
'People can avoid them by being sceptical of unsolicited communications and verifying the authenticity of the sender.'
He also said to look for spelling and grammar mistakes, carefully examine the sender's email address, and check if it is from an authentic sender or organisation.
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