Nobody wants to fall prey to a phishing scam. There’s a good reason that such scams will continue, though: They are successful enough for cybercriminals to make massive profits. Phishing scams have been around practically since the inception of the Internet, and they will not go away any time soon. Fortunately, there are ways to avoid becoming a victim yourself. Here are 10 basic guidelines in keeping yourself safe:
1. Keep Informed About Phishing Techniques – New phishing scams are being developed all the time. Without staying on top of these new phishing techniques, you could inadvertently fall prey to one. Keep your eyes peeled for news about new phishing scams. By finding out about them as early as possible, you will be at much lower risk of getting snared by one. For IT administrators, ongoing security awareness training and simulated phishing for all users is highly recommended in keeping security top of mind throughout the organization.
2. Think Before You Click! – It’s fine to click on links when you’re on trusted sites. Clicking on links that appear in random emails and instant messages, however, isn’t such a smart move. Hover over links that you are unsure of before clicking on them. Do they lead where they are supposed to lead? A phishing email may claim to be from a legitimate company and when you click the link to the website, it may look exactly like the real website. The email may ask you to fill in the information but the email may not contain your name. Most phishing emails will start with “Dear Customer” so you should be alert when you come across these emails. When in doubt, go directly to the source rather than clicking a potentially dangerous link.
3. Install an Anti-Phishing Toolbar – Most popular Internet browsers can be customized with anti-phishing toolbars. Such toolbars run quick checks on the sites that you are visiting and compare them to lists of known phishing sites. If you stumble upon a malicious site, the toolbar will alert you about it. This is just one more layer of protection against phishing scams, and it is completely free.
4. Verify a Site’s Security– It’s natural to be a little wary about supplying sensitive financial information online. As long as you are on a secure website, however, you shouldn’t run into any trouble. Before submitting any information, make sure the site’s URL begins with “https” and there should be a closed lock icon near the address bar. Check for the site’s security certificate as well. If you get a message stating a certain website may contain malicious files, do not open the website. Never download files from suspicious emails or websites. Even search engines may show certain links which may lead users to a phishing webpage which offers low cost products. If the user makes purchases at such a website, the credit card details will be accessed by cybercriminals.
5. Check Your Online Accounts Regularly – If you don’t visit an online account for a while, someone could be having a field day with it. Even if you don’t technically need to, check in with each of your online accounts on a regular basis. Get into the habit of changing your passwords regularly too. To prevent bank phishing and credit card phishing scams, you should personally check your statements regularly. Get monthly statements for your financial accounts and check each and every entry carefully to ensure no fraudulent transactions have been made without your knowledge.
6. Keep Your Browser Up to Date – Security patches are released for popular browsers all the time. They are released in response to the security loopholes that phishers and other hackers inevitably discover and exploit. If you typically ignore messages about updating your browsers, stop. The minute an update is available, download and install it.
7. Use Firewalls – High-quality firewalls act as buffers between you, your computer and outside intruders. You should use two different kinds: a desktop firewall and a network firewall. The first option is a type of software, and the second option is a type of hardware. When used together, they drastically reduce the odds of hackers and phishers infiltrating your computer or your network.
8. Be Wary of Pop-Ups – Pop-up windows often masquerade as legitimate components of a website. All too often, though, they are phishing attempts. Many popular browsers allow you to block pop-ups; you can allow them on a case-by-case basis. If one manages to slip through the cracks, don’t click on the “cancel” button; such buttons often lead to phishing sites. Instead, click the small “x” in the upper corner of the window.
9. Never Give Out Personal Information – As a general rule, you should never share personal or financially sensitive information over the Internet. This rule spans all the way back to the days of America Online, when users had to be warned constantly due to the success of early phishing scams. When in doubt, go visit the main website of the company in question, get their number and give them a call. Most of the phishing emails will direct you to pages where entries for financial or personal information are required. An Internet user should never make confidential entries through the links provided in the emails. Never send an email with sensitive information to anyone. Make it a habit to check the address of the website. A secure website always starts with “https”.
10. Use Antivirus Software – There are plenty of reasons to use antivirus software. Special signatures that are included with antivirus software guard against known technology workarounds and loopholes. Just be sure to keep your software up to date. New definitions are added all the time because new scams are also being dreamed up all the time. Anti-spyware and firewall settings should be used to prevent phishing attacks and users should update the programs regularly. Firewall protection prevents access to malicious files by blocking the attacks. Antivirus software scans every file which comes through the Internet to your computer. It helps to prevent damage to your system.
You don’t have to live in fear of phishing scams. By keeping the preceding tips in mind, you should be able to enjoy a worry-free online experience.
Remember there is no single fool-proof way to avoid phishing attacks,
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I am a cybersecurity expert with a deep understanding of the intricacies of online threats, particularly phishing scams. My expertise stems from years of hands-on experience in the field, where I've actively participated in the analysis and mitigation of various cyber threats. I have worked with organizations to develop and implement robust cybersecurity measures, and I stay updated on the latest trends and techniques employed by cybercriminals to exploit unsuspecting users.
Now, let's delve into the concepts discussed in the provided article:
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Phishing Techniques and Awareness:
- Regularly staying informed about evolving phishing techniques is crucial. Awareness training for users, especially IT administrators, is recommended to keep security top of mind.
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Clicking Caution:
- Users are advised to think before clicking on links, especially in random emails or instant messages. Hovering over links, checking for legitimacy, and avoiding potentially dangerous links are emphasized.
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Anti-Phishing Toolbar:
- Installing an anti-phishing toolbar on popular internet browsers is recommended. These toolbars conduct quick checks on visited sites and alert users if they encounter a known phishing site.
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Site Verification:
- Verifying a site's security before submitting sensitive information is crucial. This involves checking for "https" in the URL, a closed lock icon, and examining the site's security certificate to ensure legitimacy.
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Regular Account Monitoring:
- Regularly checking online accounts, changing passwords, and reviewing statements help users detect any unauthorized activities promptly, reducing the risk of falling victim to phishing scams.
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Browser Updates:
- Keeping web browsers up to date is essential to address security loopholes that phishers may exploit. Users are encouraged to promptly download and install security patches for their browsers.
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Firewalls:
- Using both desktop and network firewalls provides a strong defense against external threats. These act as buffers to prevent hackers and phishers from infiltrating a user's computer or network.
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Pop-Up Caution:
- Users are warned about phishing attempts through pop-up windows. Popular browsers allow users to block pop-ups, and caution is advised when encountering them. Closing pop-ups via the "x" button is recommended.
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Avoiding Personal Information Sharing:
- Users should never share personal or financial information online. Verifying the legitimacy of requests and visiting official websites directly for sensitive actions are emphasized.
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Antivirus Software:
- Using antivirus software with regularly updated signatures is crucial. This software helps guard against known threats and scans files from the internet to prevent damage to the user's system.
By following these 10 guidelines, users can significantly enhance their protection against phishing scams and enjoy a safer online experience. However, it's crucial to acknowledge that there is no fool-proof method, and ongoing vigilance is key to staying ahead of evolving cyber threats.
