How To Protect Yourself From Cyber Threats Today
While the running motif for digital security the past year has revolved around data breaches and corporate hacks — Sony, Target, and Home Depot come to mind — there still remains a multitude of cyber threats that exist on the internet that we shouldn’t fail to mention.
The First. Email:
Your email account is built around numerous folders (Inbox / Sent Mail / Trash / etc.), but the folder in particular that may be the most threatening to your information is the “Junk” or “Spam” folder that accumulates the hundreds of scam emails that Google identifies. But what are these scam emails? How do I differentiate from an authentic email and a false one? And what if Google misses one that slides into my “Inbox”? So, let’s go through them one by one.
There are multiple types of “scams” that come in email form. The dangerous part of the email is the malware (a.k.a, the malicious code that is written) that invades your computer or device and taps into your private information. Cybercrime is a multi-billion dollar industry, which says something about the severity of the situation. These malware threats are viruses that pry into your computer, searching for your personal data, such as credit card and social security numbers.
One of the best ways to detect one of these phony emails is to always err on the side of caution … Take a minute to read through what the content is telling you or asking of you, regardless of how serious or scary the message they’re trying to get across may seem. You will never want to give out or fill out any personal information in any kind of email.
For example, you might receive an email from your banking institution claiming that you’re required to change your password due to updated security measures. (This is called phishing — the hacker is hoping that they have tricked you into believing their scam.) The instructions say to follow the link provided in the email to change your password. You click the link and the page that pops up looks exactly like the same one your banking institution uses, so you decide to fill out the form provided. This is a mistake. Hackers now have the capabilities to create exact replica emails and webpages that mimic those of the original. Once you enter your information into this fraudulent webpage your entire account is compromised.
Many spam emails also contain links that are extremely hazardous, as once clicked, they may deploy the malicious malware code onto your computer. So, be wary of any links or “required downloads” that an email may be asking of you.
The Second. Social:
The same goes for social media accounts, as fraudulent emails are being constructed to solely gain access to your personal Facebook / Twitter / LinkedIn accounts. Also, be wary of what links you click on from your social media accounts, as it’s become more popular for cyber-criminals to set up fake accounts that lure you into clicking what appears to be a legitimate link.
Social media accounts can be accessed from anywhere in the world on multiple devices, which leaves cyber-criminals plenty of opportunity to dupe the next careless individual that assumes the email claiming to be from Twitter, which needs you to enter your email address and password, is actually from Twitter. Similar to looking both ways before crossing the street, check your sources and the authenticity of the message before clicking any links or providing any information.
The Third. Google:
Emails and social media aren’t the only digital platforms that malware can be found in, as malicious websites are often constructed across the internet to deliberately steal your information through what is called Black Hat SEO. This is where a cyber-criminal will intentionally set up a website that has a current popular topic associated with it, which can then be found in Google Search. Always use trusted sources, especially when filling out information or purchasing anything online. (Often times Google detects these fraudulent sites, but they can always slip through.)
One thing seems to be consistent with how malware-infested links or emails, websites, or social media accounts are marketed — they always seem to play the emotional card. Whether it’s a threatening email that use scare tactics, a flashing warning sign on a webpage that claims to have detected viruses on your computer, or an exciting social media post that claims you’re the lucky winner of a contest … If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.
When it comes down to it, using common sense — taking a step back and analyzing what the message is telling you — is one of your best defenses. Don’t give out your personal information, don’t open emails from unknown sources, and never supply your information through any email request. If you’re making purchases online, always make sure you’re purchasing from a trusted website that remains secure (you’ll find HTTPs:// or a lock emblem in the URL). If you’re unsure if an email or claim is true, don’t access the website provided in the link as an attempt to learn more; open a new browser and visit the original webpage. If you’re still apprehensive, give the institution a call.
Some proactive steps you can take right now:
- If you ever need to send important information, such as credit card or social security numbers by way of email, always send via a secure email solution.
- Back up all of your important documents and files to a secure, safe hard drive.
- Your “Virus Scan” software misses things, just as Google and your email does. Don’t assume that you’re always protected from cyber threats.
- Only download trusted apps on your mobile devices.
- Make purchases only from trusted, secure websites.
- Remember that these cyber-criminals are marketing and catering to your emotions, as they understand how people think and act online.
- Don’t be naïve. Be smart about opening emails and links across the internet, in any form.
- If you’re unsure about the validity of a document, link, or claim, visit the verified webpage or give them a call.
- Resist sending yourself documents from multiple devices that may have been compromised or have accessed precarious links, as the virus has the capability of traveling to your other devices.
Learn more about why cyber security has become such an important topic for 2015 and why it was even mentioned in the State Of The Union address.
Written by Samuel Lang
Content Manager – NeoCertified
