Since its birth, the Internet has grown and expanded to an unprecedented and unmanageable size. Information, software, news, etc. flow freely through its complex paths. Online services such as Internet banking can save you time and money. But from the depths of that vast expanse emerged the remnants of a new, naive, and ill-informed society intent on preying on them.
Phishing is now one of the main scams he does. People set up fake websites and email addresses. It then spams your email inbox with an official-looking message explaining that there was a problem with your X company account and that you need to log in and verify some details. The address is masked to look official and any links in the email appear to be checked out. Usually, the provided link takes you to the official website for all things. By clicking send, your data will be sent to criminals somewhere, who will do whatever they want with your information. B. Withdraw money from your bank account or buy things on your behalf. This scam is called "phishing". This is because the criminals involved in this activity act like fishermen throwing bait in hopes of getting food from the millions of people who receive the email.
So how do you avoid these online scams? First of all, know that legitimate organizations cannot ask you to enter your personal information due to server errors or other reasons. It's important to keep in mind that your bank will never send you an email saying, "I lost my bank account number and password... Please re-enter for your records." You should also know that no bank will ask for your social security number, bank account number, or PIN just to log into your account or get your password. Other websites such as Ebay and PayPal will never ask you for these details via email either.
If you're not sure if the email is official, just scroll down a bit until you find the link you want to click, then hover over the link text without clicking. Then look at the bottom left corner of your browser window. The link text is often the address that phishers try to trick you into believing you are trying to visit it, but the actual address is displayed at the bottom of your browser. This address most likely has nothing to do with the company the email is trying to impersonate. It could be a dodgy website or a page on someone's computer. If the address does not appear in the lower left corner, you can read the address listed in the information box by right-clicking the link and selecting Properties from the popup menu.
Make sure you always update the firewall and antivirus software running on your system to avoid further scams. This makes it difficult for anyone to install keyloggers, Trojans, spyware, or other similar devices intended to obtain your information. Keep your operating system up-to-date with the latest security patches and updates, and be careful where you enter your information. Always check the legitimacy of websites requesting data and keep an eye on the bottom right corner of your browser. if the page is you.
