6 Janaury 2021, Kathmandu
Phishing scams had become increasingly common in 2020. Sadly, cyber criminality of this type is on the rise as we move further and further online; criminals look further and further into ways to conduct their criminality.
There are numerous ways to protect ourselves from a phishing scam, although sometimes it can catch people out by surprise. Phishers thrive on exactly that and generally aim to catch people off guard who, without a second thought, might provide personal details. It’s a horrifically common crime, particularly at the moment, as criminals have more sophisticated tools than ever before.
A phishing scam can happen to anyone, too. One minute you could be surfing the web assessing your holiday options or searching for slot bonuses available for Indian players, then the next minute, you open up an email and, unknowingly, fall victim to a scam. It has happened to thousands of people worldwide, and, sadly, it will continue to happen.
We’ve touched on phishing scams before, but here’s a more detailed and comprehensive look at how you can protect yourself from them in 2020 and beyond.
Stay informed
Scammers are coming up with new techniques to conduct their crimes regularly, so be sure to keep up to date with all the latest scams hitting the news. The sooner you know about a common scam occurring, the better you’ll be when it comes to dealing with one.
Install an anti-phishing toolbar
Anti-phishing toolbars can be added to most internet browsers and are extremely effective. Anti-phishing toolbars essentially scan any sites you visit and notify you should you enter a harmful or potentially malicious website. Not only is it completely free, but adding an extra layer of protection can only be a good thing.
Check your online accounts regularly.
We all have online accounts we don’t check for a while or barely even use at all. The danger is, though, that someone could be having a field day with one of them without your knowledge. To avoid any scammers taking advantage of any unused or unchecked accounts, be sure to check in on your accounts regularly. To add even more security, consider changing your passwords every few months too.
Think before you click
An obvious one to many, but don’t click any random links in emails, messages, or on untrusted websites. On top of this, beware of any phishing emails. They seem legitimate and from a company you’re signed up with, but they’re designed to look like that and essentially dupe the receiver into giving out personal details. Look for any grammatical errors, as that tends to be a common giveaway. If you’re even in doubt over an email, though, ignore it and give the company in question a call.
(Image via https://twitter.com/Naylorwintersg)
Use firewalls
Firewalls essentially act as a shield between you, your computer, and any outside intruders. A desktop and a network firewall are recommended, therefore providing you with a solid amount of protection and giving hackers and phishers much less of a chance of succeeding in taking over your network or your computer.
Use antivirus software
Again, another obvious way to protect yourself too, but it’s amazing how many people don’t have any antivirus software installed on their computer. Then they wonder why they have fallen victim to a crime. Antivirus software comes in all shapes and forms, with numerous options out there. Still, on the whole, it guards against malicious files, cyberattacks, phishing attacks and adds protection to your overall system. Make sure you keep it up to date, though!
