In 2004, the month of October was officially declared Cybersecurity Awareness Month by the President of the United States and Congress. Today, cybersecurity remains as relevant as ever, with hackers constantly attempting new, sneaky methods of trying to gain access to your private, personal information.
Let’s start with the basics – What is phishing?
Phishing is a type of scam where criminals trick you into giving them private information. These scammers pretend to be someone you know or trust. This way, they can trick you into providing confidential information to a fake website or trick you into providing that information over the phone.
Scammers will pretend they are someone they’re not. For example, they may appear to be a representative of your bank or a legitimate firm or company that you would trust. They will send you an email or text containing links or attachments, on behalf of the firm they are claiming they are from, requesting information from you. Since you think it’s a firm that you trust, you can be tricked into sending private information, unwittingly to the scammer.
Don’t open attachments or links from someone you don’t know or weren’t expecting it from
Oftentimes, the scammer will install ransomware that allows them to access your computer or network. This can be accomplished when you open or try to download attachments from emails or texts the scammer sends.
If you receive an email that looks off, even if it says it’s from someone you know, reach out to them in a way you can trust first, and ask them to verify if they sent you something. Too often, hackers trick people by pretending to be the CEO or an executive or employee of the company that the victim(s) work at.
What kind of private information?
The type of private information that scammers use to steal your identity and money include account numbers, social security numbers, login credentials, and more.
Tips to avoid falling into a phishing scam
- Never click on unexpected links in emails and texts
If someone sends you a link in an email that they want you to click, hover over the link with your cursor, to see where it really leads. Don’t click on links that are to “verify login credentials” or “make a payment”. Make sure you login to sites you know and trust.
- Be skeptical of any suspicious email, text, or phone call
Scammers are deceitful. For example, they will use logos, official branding, and similar URLs of the company they are pretending to represent.
- Install security software on your computer
Security software can help find malware and keep your computer safe from attacks.
- Hang up and call the number on the back of your bank card
If someone calls claiming they’re from your bank, be sure they are who they say they are. Hang up and call the phone number that’s listed on the back of your card.
- Never give out PINs or passwords
Your bank won’t ask you for your PIN or password. Never give that information out if someone is claiming to be your bank and wants that information. Instead, call the number on the back of your bank card and verify it was your bank that called you.
For more information, visit the American Bankers Association’s website, #BanksNeverAskThat: https://www.banksneveraskthat.com/
