Scammers turn the holiday break into an opportunity! 7 security measures to protect yourself from cyber fraud!
With the holiday break starting on March 30, those looking to make the most of this time have become the new target for scammers. Users who ignore security measures in their holiday excitement are easy prey for fraudsters. Here are a few security tips from experts for users who want to deal with such cyber scammers...
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The holiday break, which will begin on March 30 this year, has been extended to 9 days by combining it with the intervening days. Users who ignore security measures in their holiday excitement are becoming targets for cyber attackers during this period.
Before and during the holiday, exaggerated holiday deals, increased use of personal devices, insecure Wi-Fi hotspots, and links clicked without thinking cause users to become victims of cybercriminals.
Experts point out that users who neglect to protect their devices and personal data may have to cut their holiday short. Here are 7 recommendations from experts that users should pay attention to in order to protect themselves from such fraud...
RUN VIRUS SCANS
Scan your computer for viruses. Before you set off on your trip, scan your personal computer for potential virus infections.
At the same time, be sure to check any USB drive or memory card with an up-to-date virus scanner before using it.
DO NOT NEGLECT YOUR SOFTWARE UPDATES
Make sure your operating system and antivirus software are up to date. Update all software, including your operating system and applications. Updates will protect you against fraud and malicious software.
BACK UP YOUR DATA
Back up your data. To prevent data loss in dangerous situations such as your computer crashing as a result of a virus attack, do not forget to back up your information regularly.
Be sure to back up important data in a secure environment that is not connected to your computer.
AVOID SHARING EVERY STEP YOU TAKE
Do not share your location information with everyone. Pay attention to the information you share on social media. Do not leave your social media platforms completely open to people you do not know. Restrict access to your profile by selecting options such as “Close Friends” in the settings section.
Make sure that only the people you want to see your posts can see them. Do not share with strangers how long you will be away from home, where you are going, or when you will return.
Turn off the location sharing feature on social media.
DO NOT FALL FOR EXAGGERATED ADS
Do not trust exaggerated holiday campaigns, discount and gift offers, and stay away from links that could lead to fake purchases over insecure networks. If a campaign you see is too good to be true, it most likely is not real.
If you think the campaign is real, open a new browser and type the website address directly into the address bar.
No matter what, always use a virtual card with a low balance for your online shopping.
BEWARE OF CONGRATULATORY EMAILS!
Be careful with holiday greeting cards and holiday-themed emails. As soon as you click on links sent by malicious people, all your personal information can easily fall into the hands of scammers. Be suspicious that there may be bad plans behind greeting cards that seem well-intentioned.
Links you click without thinking can make you prey to sites that spread viruses. Even if it comes from an acquaintance, contact them and verify it.
STAY AWAY FROM OPEN WI-FI NETWORKS
Stay away from free and public Wi-Fi hotspots. When you connect to a free Wi-Fi network controlled by cyber attackers, you may unknowingly lose critical information on your device to scammers.
If you are not connected to your home internet and need to perform an online transaction, use your mobile data network. If you must connect to a Wi-Fi network, make sure you connect with a VPN that includes a mobile security solution.