Kaspersky Lab, a leading developer of secure content and threat management solutions, announces the publication of the analytical article ‘Internet fraud for dummies: practical advice for protecting yourself against online scams’.
Kaspersky Lab, a leading developer of secure content and threat management solutions, announces the publication of the analytical article ‘Internet fraud for dummies: practical advice for protecting yourself against online scams’.
Online scammers deceive users and abuse their confidence in order to make money. Their repertoire includes making what appear to be attractive financial offers, sending notifications on behalf of legitimate organizations asking users to click on a link and enter their personal information into online forms, persuading users to send text messages to short numbers, and so on. It is unwary users themselves who pass on their personal details and/or money to the fraudsters. In her article Darya Gudkova, Head of Content Analysis & Research at Kaspersky Lab, gives recommendations on how to avoid falling victim to cybercriminals.
Users are advised to carefully study the header information at the top of email messages. The following signs indirectly confirm that the email was sent to you by a malicious user: there is an unfamiliar address in the “From” field; the “To:” field contains a name other than your own; the email was sent on behalf of a major organization from a free email client. These are all signs of a mass impersonal mailing. The body of the message may contain distorted words, impersonal greetings and the links may not match the address of the organization’s official site.
It is not that difficult to protect yourself against cybercriminals. Users should not click links in emails if they have any doubts at all about the sender; personal data should only be entered on the official sites of trusted financial organizations and such sites should be opened via the browser address line – not via a hyperlink. It is important not to fall for tempting offers of presents, bonuses or rewards for transferring someone else’s money. Do not agree to be the middleman in dubious financial operations – the scammers can end up not only stealing your money but leave you legally and financially responsible for their affairs.
“Fraud will always exist. It can be found everywhere across the Internet: in email, on social networks, and on various and sundry websites. Over the years, cybercriminals have invented new tactics, but the scams are ultimately the same. Only users themselves can guarantee their own protection in the virtual space,” points out Darya Gudkova.
The full version of the article is available at www.securelist.com/en.
