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Currently, on the internet, in addition to the opportunities and connections it offers, there is also a growing shadow of scams and virtual traps. Browsing the world wide web can be a risky experience if we are not aware of the dangers that lurk in every click. You may have heard the popular expression “every day a scoundrel and a fool leave the house”; Well, nowadays it's not even necessary to leave the house to fall into a trickster's tale. So it's good to stay on top of the main scams and take the utmost care not to be harmed.
In this text, we enter the universe of the most common internet scams on the internet, from Phishing to sophisticated and little-known attacks such as Man-in-the-Middle. We will explore each of these scams, uncovering their tactics and strategies, and provide readers with guidance on how to protect themselves against these digital threats.
If you want to know more about virtual scams specifically on dating apps, see our text to avoid this, which is one of the simplest ways to have direct contact with unknown people.
Phishing
O Phishing is one of the most common forms of online fraud, where scammers launch digital baits to hook personal information and sensitive information of users. This malicious technique often presents itself under the guise of legitimate companies, such as banks, social networks, email services or online stores, using similar logos and language to deceive victims.
These scams can be delivered through emails, text messages, or even social media, and often exploit the recipient's trust, tricking them into providing personal information, such as passwords, credit card numbers, or data. banking.
How phishing happens
The modus operandi of Phishing is: Scam messages often contain a sense of urgency, such as an alert about a blocked account, a suspicious transaction, or an unmissable promotion. By clicking on links provided in the message, victims are taken to fake pages, cleverly designed to resemble the legitimate websites of the companies in question. On these pages, confidential information is requested, which is then captured by scammers.
Another common tactic is sending malicious attachments that, when opened, infect the victim's device with malware, allowing scammers to gain access to sensitive information stored on the computer or mobile device.
How to protect yourself from phishing
To protect against Phishing, it is crucial to always be alert and adopt preventive measures. Here, the key is to be wary of suspicious transactions and unsolicited requests for information. See the tips:
- Being wary of unsolicited emails or messages that request personal or financial information is essential.
- Carefully checking senders and URLs for misspellings or suspicious domains can help identify hacking attempts. Phishing.
- Avoid clicking links or downloading attachments from unknown sources, and keep your devices and programs updated with the latest security patches.
- Using security solutions such as antivirus and spam filters can also help detect and block malicious emails before they cause harm.
Ransomware
O ransomware has hit both individuals and organizations around the world, causing significant financial and emotional damage. This type of attack not only blocks access to a user's files, but also encrypts them, making them inaccessible until a ransom is paid to the criminals behind the attack. This scenario creates a distressing situation where victims find themselves in a race against time to regain access to their valuable data.
How ransomware happens
The attacks of ransomware They can be launched in several ways, with email being one of the most common. Criminals send fraudulent emails with infected attachments or malicious links, tricking recipients into opening the file or clicking the link. Once the malware is downloaded and executed on the system, it begins encrypting the victim's files, usually using robust encryption algorithms that are practically impossible to crack without the decryption key.
In addition to email, ransomware attacks can also occur through software downloads from untrusted sources, exploiting security vulnerabilities in outdated systems, or even through malicious advertisements on the web.
How to protect yourself from ransomware
Preventing ransomware attacks requires a proactive and careful approach. Firstly, it is essential to keep all operating systems and software up to date with the latest security updates, as these updates often contain fixes for known vulnerabilities that can be exploited by criminals. Furthermore:
- It is essential to educate users about the risks of ransomware and instruct them to never click on suspicious links or open unsolicited email attachments, in the case of companies.
- Implementing robust security solutions such as firewalls, antivirus, and ransomware detection software is also crucial to detecting and blocking threats before they cause harm.
- Performing regular data backups and storing them in secure locations disconnected from the network is another essential measure to ensure data recovery in the event of a ransomware attack.
- Develop and maintain an incident response plan that includes clear procedures for dealing with ransomware attacks, including isolating infected systems, notifying appropriate authorities, and considering alternatives to paying the ransom.
Online shopping scams
With the growing number of transactions carried out on the internet, buy online have become a frequent target of scams and fraud. While e-commerce offers convenience and a wide variety of products, consumers are also exposed to a variety of risks, from fraudulent websites to phishing schemes aimed at stealing shoppers' personal and financial information.
How online shopping scams happen
Online shopping scams can occur in several ways. One of the most common methods is to create fake websites that pass for legitimate stores. These sites often offer products at prices far below market prices to attract buyers, but once payment is made, the products are never delivered or are of lower quality than advertised. Additionally, consumers can also be directed to Phishing that imitate the payment pages of well-known stores, where your payment information is stolen.
Another common online shopping scam involves the sale of counterfeit products or pirates. Scammers create fake listings on e-commerce sites, offering brand-name products at low prices, but in reality, the items received are of inferior quality or even counterfeits.
How to protect yourself from online shopping scams
Large e-commerce sites end up being the safest alternative for online shopping, but even so, scammers can create a faithful copy of pages like Amazon and Magazine Luiza to commit fraud. See our tips to protect yourself:
- Always check the reputation of the seller and the website before making a purchase. Look for reviews from other consumers and avoid buying from unknown or unreliable websites.
- Always check the website URL and make sure you are browsing on a secure connection, especially when entering payment information. Secure websites usually have a padlock in the address bar and start with “https://”.
- Use secure payment methods, such as credit cards, which offer additional protection against fraud and allow you to dispute unauthorized charges. Avoid making payments by bank transfer, pix or unregulated payment services, as these offer less consumer protection.
- Finally, trust your instinct. If an offer seems too good to be true — with prices well below the market average — it's likely a scam. Stay vigilant and watch for red flags such as very low prices, poorly designed websites, or excessive requests for personal information. The maxim applies here: there is no such thing as a free lunch.
Pyramid schemes and multilevel marketing
the schemes of pyramid and the multi-level marketing These are controversial business strategies that have proliferated widely on the internet, attracting individuals with promises of quick and easy enrichment. However, behind these seductive promises lie deceptive practices that harm many participants. In this section, we'll explore how these schemes operate, the warning signs to look out for, and how consumers can protect themselves against these financial pitfalls.
How the pyramid scheme happens
the schemes of pyramid and the multi-level marketing they generally involve recruiting new participants to sell products or services and recruiting more people to do the same. Participants are encouraged to invest money initially, with the promise of significant returns in the future. However, the sustainability of these schemes depends on continually recruiting new participants — not selling products or services — and many end up losing money when they fail to recruit enough people or when the scheme collapses.
Multilevel marketing, although legal in many countries, can sometimes resemble a pyramid scheme, especially when the emphasis is on recruiting new members rather than selling legitimate products or services. These schemes often exaggerate the possibilities of gains and minimize the risks involved, leading many participants to invest money without a guaranteed return.
How to prevent pyramid schemes and multilevel marketing
To avoid falling for pyramid and multi-level marketing schemes, it is important to be aware of the warning signs and take precautions when considering participating in any business opportunity. Other tips:
- Be wary of get-rich-quick and easy promises, especially if they are based primarily on recruiting new members rather than selling legitimate products or services.
- Research the company and its products or services before committing. Check that the company has a solid reputation and that its products or services are valued by customers.
- Be skeptical of exaggerated testimonials and success stories and seek independent information about the company and its business practices.
Social engineering attacks
The attacks of social engineering represent a subtle and powerful threat in the digital world, exploiting people's trust and naivety to obtain confidential information or unauthorized access to systems. In this section, we will examine how these attacks occur, the methods employed by criminals, and the measures users can take to protect themselves against these psychological manipulations on the web.
How social engineering attacks happen
Social engineering attacks are designed to manipulate people into taking actions that benefit criminals. This may include techniques where users are tricked into providing sensitive information such as passwords or credit card numbers through fake emails or messages. Other common methods include pretexting, where criminals make up a story to obtain personal information, and tailgating, where attackers closely follow an authorized employee to gain access to a building or system.
Additionally, social engineering attacks can also occur on social networks, where criminals pose as friends or acquaintances to obtain sensitive information or persuade people to click on malicious links. They may also create fake profiles to establish trust and then exploit that trust to gain access to information or resources.
How to prevent social engineering attacks
Preventing social engineering attacks starts with raising awareness and educating users. It's important to be aware of common tactics used by criminals and to be skeptical of any requests for personal or financial information, especially if they come from unverified or unsolicited sources. Furthermore:
- Establish clear policies and procedures for handling requests for sensitive information, such as passwords or identification numbers. Users should be instructed to never share this information via email or messages and to always verify the legitimacy of the request with a trusted source.
- The use of two-factor authentication It can also help protect against social engineering attacks by adding an additional layer of security that makes it more difficult for criminals to gain unauthorized access to accounts or systems.
Man-in-the-Middle Attacks
The attacks of Man-in-the-Middle (MITM) represent a significant threat to the security of digital communications, allowing an attacker to intercept and manipulate information exchanged between two parties, without their knowledge or consent. In this section, we will explore how MITM attacks occur, their potential consequences, and the steps users can take to protect themselves against this form of attack.
How Man-in-the-Middle Attacks Happen
The attacks of Man-in-the-Middle can occur in various forms of digital communication, including web browsing, emails, instant messaging, and Wi-Fi connections. In a typical MITM scenario, an attacker intercepts communication traffic between two legitimate parties and can perform a variety of malicious actions , such as capturing sensitive information (such as passwords or credit card data), modifying transmitted data, or even injecting malware into victims' devices.
A common example of a MITM attack in web browsing is when an attacker inserts himself between the user's device and the target server, being able to capture information transmitted over insecure connections (HTTP) or even forge SSL certificates to create non-secure HTTPS connections. safe.
On unsecured public Wi-Fi networks, attackers can also carry out MITM attacks by intercepting data traffic between users' devices and the access point. This allows them to monitor all communications, including login credentials and other sensitive information.
How to Prevent Man-in-the-Middle Attacks
To protect against Man-in-the-Middle attacks, it is crucial to adopt robust security measures across all forms of digital communication. That includes:
- Use secure connections: Whenever possible, opt for secure connections, such as HTTPS instead of HTTP for web browsing, encrypted emails (such as PGP) for sensitive communications.
- Check certificates: Make sure the SSL certificates of websites you visit are valid and authentic, especially when carrying out financial transactions or entering sensitive information.
- Avoid public Wi-Fi networks: Avoid using unsecured public Wi-Fi networks for financial transactions or other sensitive activities, as these networks are often targets of MITM attacks.
- Use VPNs: Using a virtual private network (VPN) can help protect your communications by encrypting traffic between your device and the VPN server, making it more difficult for attackers to intercept.
- Keep software up to date: Keep your operating systems, browsers, and applications up to date with the latest security patches to mitigate known vulnerabilities that could be exploited by attackers.
By taking these preventive measures, users can significantly reduce the risk of becoming victims of Man-in-the-Middle attacks and protect the privacy and security of their digital communications.
Do you know all these scams and do you understand how to prevent them? Leave additional tips in the comments to help other users and become safer on the web.
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Source: TJSC, Kaspersky, Scamwatch
reviewed by Glaucon Vital in 26 / 3 / 24.
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