October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month. Here's how to avoid hackers
Hoplon InfoSec
22 Oct, 2024
As Cybersecurity Awareness Month begins, it’s a perfect time to focus on protecting yourself from rising cyber scams. Scammers are becoming more advanced, using phishing emails, fraudulent texts, and caller ID spoofing to trick unsuspecting individuals.
Eva Velasquez, CEO of the Identity Theft Resource Center, warns that scammers now have a technological edge. To combat this, consumers must be more cautious with whom they trust online. Alissa Abdullah, Mastercard’s deputy chief security officer, emphasizes three essential steps to avoid scams: stay suspicious, stop and think, and stay protected.
These simple actions can help individuals recognize red flags and avoid falling victim to cyber threats. People can protect their information and financial security by staying informed and vigilant. Now is the time to equip yourself with the knowledge and tools to stay safe in an increasingly digital world.
Recognizing Common Scam Tactics
Three common tactics used by scammers are based on fear, urgency, and money, said security expert Petros Efstathopoulos. Here’s how they work:
Fear
Fear is one of the most potent psychological tools hackers use to manipulate individuals into compromising their security. Hackers often create a sense of urgency or panic, causing people to react without fully thinking through the consequences. For instance, you might receive an email or message that looks like it’s from your bank, claiming there’s suspicious activity on your account. The goal is to make you worry about losing money or having your account locked, prompting you to click a malicious link or provide personal information.
When fear takes over, people often abandon their usual caution. Hackers know this and exploit it by crafting messages that create high levels of anxiety. These emails or messages are designed to make you believe you must act immediately to avoid severe consequences, like losing access to your account, facing legal action, or incurring fines. This feeling of urgency reduces your ability to think critically, making you more likely to fall for the scam.
One of the best ways to avoid falling victim to fear-based hacking tactics is to stay calm and take a moment to assess the situation. A legitimate company or institution will only demand immediate action if they offer other ways to verify the claim. If you receive a suspicious message, wait to click on any links or provide any information until you’ve independently verified the authenticity of the request. Always verify such claims by contacting the organization directly through official channels.
Look up the company’s phone number or email address instead of using the contact information in the suspicious message. Hackers often fake their identity using logos and official-sounding language to make the scam appear more credible. By reaching out directly, you can confirm whether there is a problem without falling into their trap.
Knowing the common signs of phishing or scam attempts is also helpful. Watch out for poor grammar, misspellings, and unfamiliar email addresses or phone numbers. These red flags can indicate that the message is not from a legitimate source, even if it appears to be urgent. Taking time to scrutinize these details can prevent a fear-driven mistake.
Moreover, two-factor authentication (2FA) is a great defense mechanism. Even if fear prompts you to provide your login credentials, hackers won’t be able to access your account if you have 2FA enabled. This extra layer of security asks for additional verification, such as a code sent to your phone, reducing the chances of unauthorized access.
Another critical step is to keep your software and systems updated. Outdated software can have security vulnerabilities that hackers can exploit. Regularly updating your devices and security tools helps protect against the latest hacking tactics, making it more difficult for hackers to exploit fear-based attacks. Training and educating employees or family members about these tactics is also crucial. By helping them understand how fear can be used against them, you empower them to recognize these attacks when they happen and react more cautiously. Awareness is one of the most powerful tools in preventing fear-driven hacks.
Urgency
Urgency is a tactic that hackers use to pressure victims into making quick decisions without fully considering the consequences. By creating a sense of urgency, they manipulate individuals into believing they must act immediately to avoid a negative outcome, such as losing access to an account or missing out on a significant financial opportunity.
When people feel rushed, their ability to think critically is compromised. Hackers exploit this by sending phishing emails or messages that demand immediate action, like clicking a link or providing sensitive information. For instance, you might receive a fake message claiming your bank account has been compromised, and you need to log in right away to secure it. This urgency makes you more likely to find a link without checking its legitimacy.
The first step to avoiding urgency-based scams is to slow down. No legitimate organization will pressure you into making a snap decision about something important. Take a moment to assess the situation before acting. You can avoid clicking on malicious links or giving away personal information in haste by taking time to think.
One of the best ways to prevent urgency from leading you into a hacking attempt is to verify the source. Contact the company or individual directly through official channels rather than responding to the email or text. Hackers often create fake websites or phone numbers to make their scams appear more legitimate, so contacting trusted sources is critical to confirm whether the message is authentic.
Another essential defense is to keep your security systems updated. Hackers often exploit vulnerabilities in outdated software, and urgency-based attacks are no exception. Regularly updating your systems makes it harder for hackers to succeed in their attempts.
Moreover, hackers often impersonate authority figures, such as tax officials or company executives, to create urgency. They might send emails or messages that appear to come from someone in a position of power, demanding immediate action. Recognizing this tactic and verifying the legitimacy of the request can prevent falling for these scams.
While urgency can make you feel like you need to act immediately, it’s important to remember that slowing down and verifying the source is critical to avoiding hacking attempts. Hackers rely on panic and rushed decisions to succeed, but by staying calm, using two-factor authentication, and keeping your systems updated, you can protect yourself from urgency-based attacks.
Money
Hackers often use money to lure people into scams by promising financial gain or threatening financial loss. They might pose as legitimate entities like tax agencies or banks, offering refunds or rewards if you provide personal information.
Hackers may also impersonate trusted professionals, asking for payments or claiming you’ll receive a large sum if you act quickly. This promise of money creates excitement or urgency, lowering your defenses. To avoid such scams, it’s essential to recognize that legitimate organizations don’t use sensitive information in exchange for money over email or text. Always verify any financial claims or requests through official channels, like contacting your bank directly. Never trust unsolicited messages asking for payments or offering unrealistic returns.
Awareness of financial incentives’ psychological impact can help you stay vigilant. When faced with promises of money, ask yourself if the offer seems too good to be true. Scammers rely on excitement to bypass your natural skepticism. Another good practice is only providing personal or financial details if you know the source. If you receive a message about money—whether a threat or a reward—research and verify it before responding.
Additionally, educate your employees and Team members about these tactics. Financial scams often target businesses by pretending to be suppliers or clients requesting urgent payments. Teaching your Team to spot red flags can prevent costly mistakes. Hackers also use fake invoices or payment requests to deceive companies into wiring money to fraudulent accounts. Ensure your company has strict verification processes for financial transactions, especially when the request comes unexpectedly.
Lastly, hackers may trick individuals into paying fees upfront for services or investments that don’t exist scams, often called “advance” fee fraud,” exploi” people’speople’sto make money quickly. Be cautious of any offers that require upfront payments. Money-related hacking scams exploit human emotions like greed and fear of financial loss. By staying cautious, verifying requests, and educating others about these tactics, you can prevent falling victim to such attacks. Hackers rely on financial bait, but critical thinking and proper verification can protect you from their schemes.
For more:
https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/october-cybersecurity-awareness-month-stay-safe-scams-114951055
https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/national-international/cybersecurity-awareness-month/3684609
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