While coronavirus restrictions continue in many countries around the world, New Year’s celebrations will be a little different this year than usual. But there is one thing that hasn’t changed: Cybercriminals are back at work. Cybersecurity organization ESET listed the things to consider for a happy New Year’s Eve, and warned of the effects of stress during gift selection.
According to the research of Dynata company, which is an analysis platform, 20 percent of consumers are stressed about new year shopping this year. This situation unfortunately makes us more vulnerable to online fraud. Promising the best price in a short time, phishing emails can be used to put pressure on potential victims to share credit cards or other sensitive information. Trust your instincts: Don’t click links if an offer is too good to be true. Instead, go directly to the store’s website or visit another trusted website to purchase anything.
Receive technological gifts securely.
The number of people receiving technology-related gifts is increasing. The high cost of these gifts can cause many people to buy these gadgets from other sources that offer discounts rather than official retailers. According to a study, almost 1 in 10 parents plan to give a second-hand phone from a family member or friend as a gift. However, this situation may have unforeseen financial consequences. If the phone has not been reset, the phone may still contain files, images, or malware; this can put the new user at risk and violate data privacy. If you are thinking of gifting a mobile phone this Christmas, buy it from an official retailer or otherwise obtain it, download virus protection such as ESET Mobile Security to protect against malware.
Do not open e-cards that you do not know who they belong to.
Although real cards with no risky links are almost forgotten, e-cards are becoming more and more popular. Fast and easy to send, the number of e-cards is expected to double this year. However, fraudsters can use e-cards to impersonate your friend or family and sent in bulk. If you get an e-card, never click on any link without confirmation from the buyer. Note that the email address is spelled correctly, as scammers may try to pretend to be a friend or colleague.
Make sure the gifts are for you before clicking.
Scammers try to take advantage of the fact that there are many people waiting for gifts and cargo in the new year. There are many scammers who impersonate well-known cargo and delivery services and scam people by sending persuasively looking fake cargo tracking links. Clicking the link causes the malware to be downloaded or redirects users to websites that aim to steal credentials. To avoid this type of fraud, keep a close eye on the websites you order and the delivery service you use. In addition, you can always follow the packages that you think will surprise you on the New Year’s Eve.
