End Phishing: How to Defend Yourself From Online Scammers? Free Antivirus Software

 

There were always enough thieves who wanted to cash in on others. You can meet them not only in real life but also in online life, especially now, when we are so worried about health and safety issues, many have difficulties with money. Phishing is common on the Internet. This is a type of online fraud, the purpose of which is to gain access to your personal data: logins, passwords, and other information. And cybercriminals are also very interested in your money, which can also be reached via the Internet. MTS experts tell you how to protect yourself from deceivers and preserve your property.

Phishing: What Do Scammers Want to Steal?

The first and main question you need to answer to yourself: what virtual treasures do you have? Hazards may be exposed:

 

Bank card details. If you pay online and keep your savings on the same card, think about what happens when someone gains access to it. 

Logins and passwords for services with a paid subscription. Have you bought a one-year video subscription? Have you paid for access to the virtual library? Your "reader" can be stolen.

Social media accounts. Even if you are not a top blogger with millions of subscribers, your logins and passwords are of interest to phishing thieves: for example, they can be sold to illegal cheaters of likes and reposts, or you can ask for money on your behalf.

Passwords from mailboxes. What does your work or personal mail store like? Often - everything from confidential documents to accounts in Internet services.

Now that you know what phishers can hunt for, let's take a look at the bait options for these anglers.

 

Types of Phishing: Pop-up Banner

The main technique used by phishers is to imitate well-known sites to get users' personal information with their help. Pop-up banners of all kinds of content can lead you, for example, to a fake login page on a social network. The surest way not to get hooked is to look closely at the address bar. Any differences in the domain name should alert you.

Types of Phishing: an Unprecedented Scale

An even more subtle and insidious type of scam is also associated with disguise as well-known shopping sites. You see an advertisement for your favorite online store, which has started a delicious sale, and maybe even receive a message about it with an attached link. Go on, you see great prices - say, for disposable masks and gloves, which are now in short supply - and huge "BUY" buttons. These buttons will lead to the payment section, where you will need to enter your card details.

 

Then everything will look as usual: you enter the number and name of the owner, the CVC code, but the money will not be debited for the product, and quite possibly in a much larger amount than its declared value.

 

There are several ways to check if you are in a real store. The first is to enter its name in a search engine and check the results. You may see a difference in page addresses, even if only in one letter. Notice the design differences. All this says only one thing - you don't need to buy anything on such a site with a sale.

 

The second way is to call the store's hotline and inquire about current promotions. Just be careful, the phone number cannot be taken from the sale page, as there may be a “fake” manager on the other end of the line.

Types of Phishing: Debts, Fines, Transfers

Phishers often send "letters of happiness" or messages, notifying, for example, of debt on an account with Sberbank or a fine at the traffic police. In them, you can see a link with an offer to pay for them instantly with a discount or enter bank card details to unblock it. The surprise effect will do the trick, and when exposed to the excitement, you will blindly fall into the clutches of intruders.

 

There is only one piece of advice: exhale, take your mind off your computer or smartphone, and double-check the information. But only at the source, and not by clicking on the link received. For example, contact the bank's support by calling the hotline, or check fines through the "State Services" application.

Types of Phishing: Problems With Mail or Account

Another way to send phishers is to report problems with your mailbox. There are a lot of options: starting from "spam was sent from your address, follow this link within 24 hours so that it is not blocked" to "free space in the mail runs out, activate additional megabytes." The level of counterfeiting depends on the technical advancement of the scammers, and if an email from tolyan@mail.ru immediately arouses suspicion, then admin@gmail.org can mislead many.

 

In any case, it should always be alarming when in an e-mail or on the Internet in general, you are required to act immediately and asked to additionally enter your username, password, the code word for a bank card or its security code, any other personal data.

 

Phishing Protection: How Not to Fall for Any Tricks?

The general rule of thumb in the fight against phishing is simple: Don't let your emotions get the better of your mind. Universal rule number two: always remember what your data, if it is in the wrong hands, can harm you - be careful every time you enter or transmit such information.

 

Check website addresses before acting with your data on the Internet, check information in alternative sources and keep your passwords in a safe place. Do not chase after cheapness - the desire to save money, or simply "thirst for freebies", in this case - the main bait.

 

We will be glad if our tips will help you not to get hooked by scammers on the net. If you haven't learned anything new from this text, share it with your family and friends to protect them from phishers. After all, knowledge is the most powerful weapon in the fight against online scammers. In cases where you admit that any of your explanations may be difficult for someone close to you, do not be too lazy to install at least a free antivirus software program on his smartphone. It will protect the gadget, even if not from everyone, but from many of the traps that phishers have placed on the Internet.