ESET expert advice: How not to become a victim of cybercriminals in pre-holiday turmoil

12:02 - 24.02.2020


February 24, Fineko/abc.az. Online shopping opportunities are a real salvation in the run-up to the holidays.

So, you no longer need to puzzle over what to present your spouse, relatives or colleagues. It is enough to visit several online stores, compare products and prices. If you want, even contact an online consultant for help. However, there is a downside: before the holidays, the probability of becoming a victim of cyber fraud and losing your money increases.

It is important to be vigilant from the very beginning of the search for the necessary product and store. Often, the user exposes himself to danger by comparing prices and clicking on links that can lead to a malicious site.

Phishing is a serious threat. Scammers often distribute malicious links and lure payment data using newsletters in messengers or by e-mail. As a rule, such letters offer to purchase a unique product as a gift to your beloved woman with a large discount.

In addition, hackers send malicious files under the guise of discount coupons. This way, the device can get a ransomware virus that blocks access to all the user's files and requires a ransom for their recovery. However, even transferring money to the creator of the virus does not guarantee a positive outcome.

You should remain vigilant even when shopping on reliable sites. You should not rely on the responsibility and integrity of the administration of online stores. For example, if there is no secure data transfer protocol, payment data can be intercepted by cybercriminals during the payment process. For protection, get an additional card to contain only an amount equal to the price of the product.

In addition, we recommend using temporary e-mail addresses and phone numbers when shopping online. Even if the online seller is reliable and does not intend to steal users' funds, this will help avoid spam mailings on their behalf.

Finally, a comprehensive antivirus solution will help protect you from most cyber threats. For example, the "anti-phishing" module warns the user about the potential danger of a particular resource and allows you to avoid transmitting payment data to fraudsters.

 

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