Avoiding Internet &Telephone Con Artists-Part 2

This article deals with the ever increasing risk of being “conned” out of your money by Internet thieves.Part one can be found on this blog under November 2014.

With the growth in the use of Ipad, mobile, and tablet use to access the internet many technology users have grown use to not having anti-virus software to combat virus and spyware attacks. What is forgotten is that these anti-virus products also provided security against two of the most common methods of attacking internet users. The thieves have switched to using these methods to target these non laptop/desktop users.  These attacks are launched via fake websites, and fake emails. Both methods work extremely well and I’ve seen numerous cases of people being conned out of money by these methods. I will deal with the fake email this month and fake websites next month.

The Fake Email.

How it works:

1. You receive an email which can appear to come from your email provider, a friend, Microsoft, your bank or any of a number of institutions or individuals you deal with.
2. You are invited to open, click the link or visit the website.
3. The email may contain a warning that some action will be taken unless you do.
4. The email may contain information on something that has been purchased via your credit card, itunes, or paypal and invite you to cancel the transaction if it is not you.
5.  The email may appear to be from a friend or some other social media organization such as Facebook.

How To Avoid This Scam:

1. Do not open it, click the link, visit the site or in any way with the message or email.
2. If you are worried visit the site independently of the message taking special care to ensure you are actually on the correct site (check the full address in the address bar)
3. If you believe your device or email is compromised contact a professional and do not proceed.

Many of you will be purchasing new internet devices this Christmas other than traditional desktop and laptops. Do not make the mistake that these devices guarantee your safety from thieves. To quote an old adage “there is more than one way to skin a cat!”

Stay alert, stay safe!