Have you ever visited a website for the first time and regretted clicking on something? I’m sorry to say this, but you’ve probably been duped. Scams are a reality in today’s world. Scammers grow in number as technology progresses and new platforms emerge. They come up with inventive ways to obtain your personal data and con you into giving it to them. It all depends on their level of creativity. The options are endless, from using your social media account to creating a mistake on a website that might send millions of people to a bogus website and email. In addition to providing you with helpful advice that teaches you how to protect your online privacy , we have compiled some of the most well-known scams that have troubled millions of people in this post.
ONLINE COVID-19 SCAMMERS Despite the fact that the COVID-19 pandemic has affected everyone, certain people are profiting from the anxiety and uncertainty it has caused.
Scammers are attempting to take advantage of the COVID-19 pandemic by committing numerous COVID-19-related scams. More than 21,000 victims claimed to have lost $13.4 million in coronavirus-related frauds in April 2020 alone.
GENERATOR OF FAKE STIMULUS CHECKS The con artist will typically assert that all of you to do to receive free money or stimulus checks from the government is click the link they have provided. Once you click, you are directed to a generating page where you must enter personal data such your social security number and bank account number. This data can be used to steal your identity and drain your bank account of funds.
FAKE THERAPY/VACCINE The con artists attempt to use this chance to entice consumers into purchasing phony coronavirus vaccinations and treatments. Avoid any website or link that offers a treatment or vaccine for COVID-19. Furthermore, you should avoid providing any personal information to such websites because they can abuse it.
MISTAKEN REPRESENTATION OF GOVERNMENT AID PROGRAMS This occurs when con artists make fictitious promises to give money or other benefits connected to government initiatives, like stimulus cheques. To gain access to these funds, they either charge application fees or ask for personal information. Detecting This Scam: Before disclosing any personal information, inquire with your local government if you have any questions. Additionally, never give out your Social Security number or bank account information over the phone to a government agency.
SCAM OF A NIGERIAN PRINCE You’re presumably aware of the con involving the Nigerian prince. Although it has been around for more than ten years, it is one of the longest-running web scams. The most typical form is an email purporting to be from a wealthy Nigerian prince asking for your assistance in sending millions of dollars out of his nation. He agrees to give you a portion of the money in return. The problem? Taxes or legal fees must be paid upfront first. Can you identify the con?
Despite the fact that the Nigerian prince hoax has been around for a while, it continues to fool individuals into sending money abroad. In fact, based only on recorded cases, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) found that since 2013, over $100 million has been lost by victims of this single scam.
FAKE ADVICE ON ANTIVIRUS Even though this is one of the oldest tactics in the book, it still works. These alerts are intended to give you the impression that your Mac is afflicted with viruses or spyware , and that there is only one program that can save you.
The pop-ups may appear as a warning from Apple or a third party, or they could use the name of a legitimate antivirus product. Although the language may be elegant and formal, rest assured that Apple never alerts you to the presence of malware on your machine.
Don’t get alarmed if this sounds familiar. This occurs more frequently than you might imagine. Just shut the window like any other pop-up window to do so (or use Force Quit if necessary). If it returns after restarting your Mac, use Safe Mode to permanently remove it.
TIPS FOR QUICKLY MAINTAINING ONLINE PRIVACY Whether online or off, don’t share your personal information. For all of your accounts, create strong passwords, and think about using an password manager . Update the browser and operating system on your machine. To find viruses, spyware, and other risks, install anti-virus software on your computer. Spend some time learning about the privacy rules of the websites you frequently use, including social networking platforms like Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook. They should make it very apparent what information they get and how they use it. Despite the fact that you might believe you know where a link will take you, use caution when clicking on links in emails from unidentified sources. This is due to the possibility that it will take you to a malicious website intended to steal your personal information. FINAL COMMENTS Your personal information may actually be exposed to hackers via the websites you frequent. Even if you haven’t opened them, almost everyone has received spam and fraudulent emails. This article’s goal is to give a general overview of the most common frauds, their signs, and how you may defend yourself against these online risks.
