The bad news is cybercriminals go to great lengths to steal your personal information. They will lie, manipulate, and try to pressure you into sharing information that’s for your eyes only.
The good news is our Click with Caution: Recognize, Relax, Rethink model can work at home too.
Do you, your kids, parents or spouse know the signs of a phishing attack? Are they able to identify what may be suspicious?
Recognize
Suspicious messages often spark fear, urgency, or the desire to please. They come in the form of emails, text messages and phones calls.
Here are three common scams to watch for:
- Unwanted tech support. You may have seen this in action. A “technician” calls or emails to alert you to a problem with your system. They may tell you that an update is needed and try to charge you for a problem that doesn’t exist.
- Fake emails from a trusted person. Most of us have heard about gift card scams. You may have received an email at work that looked like it was from your boss, asking you to buy gift cards. Similarly, you may have received emails that look like they’re from a friend or relative’s email address, asking you to help. They may claim to be in danger and it’s usually urgent. Be wary, it’s likely fake.
- Clickbait ads. These ads lure people with a headline and entice them to click on a fraudulent link. That link may lead to fake browser add-ons, anti-virus software, or computer updates that can harm your system or steal your money. Click with caution.
Relax
Cybercriminals know we’re more likely to fall for a scam when we’re busy or urged into quick action.
Talking to your family members about online scams is a great way to increase cyber knowledge and avoid falling victim. Taking the extra step to be mindful and not respond to suspicious messages goes a long way in keeping your data safe.
Rethink
Consider cybersafe actions you can take.
Here are three ways to increase online safety:
- Trust your gut. If you sense a request is suspicious or “doesn’t feel right” trust that feeling. Ignore emails and hang up on suspicious calls.
- Go to the source to confirm a suspicious email from a familiar person. Reach out via phone call to ask if the individual sent it. It’s a simple way to confirm your suspicions without falling victim to an online thief.
- Be mindful of what you share online. Criminals comb the internet for information they can use against you. For example, consider what you are sharing on social media as strangers may befriend you. Also, be suspicious if an already existing friend sends you a friend request with the same name.
Want more tips about being safe at home? ‘Bee’ a Yale Cyber Hero and subscribe to the Bee Cyber Fit podcast for more strategies to stay safe online.