With Christmas and New Year round the corner, eScan would like to advise its readers and users to be extremely cautious against all possible online threats and scams.
1 Mobile Malware: Festival season often prompts the launch of new mobile apps, which would make Christmas shopping simpler. Scammers would be making use of this opportunity to create a malicious app for stealing personal information or rob your money. This kind of miscreant can happen only when inadequate research is done on the app before installation. With number of apps hosted in Play store there is possibility of downloading a fake app in the form of innocent looking app. eScan recommends to download apps from official stores only and use eScan Mobile Security solutions for both iPhone and Android.
2 Text Message: Ever wondered a simple text message from you can reveal your personal information? Known as SMS phishing or smishing, cyber crook lures recipient with an assured gift or prize. Following the link, the cellphone user is exposed to identity theft or asks the user to download malicious software which would infect his device.
3 Gift Scams: Every year there are advertisements on must-have items such as Xbox One, new iPhone 6s are sure to grab attention of shoppers. Cyber-criminals would start luring users by advertising gifts on malicious sites, conduct fake contests on popular social networking websites or send phishing emails offering great deals in a bid to reveal their personal information or get their devices infected with Malware.
4 Festive Travel: According to US-Cert, Phishing is an attempt by an individual or group to solicit personal information from unsuspecting users by employing social engineering techniques. Phishing emails are crafted to appear as if they have been sent from a legitimate organization or known individual. These emails often attempt to entice users to click on a link that will take them to a fraudulent website that appears legitimate. The user then may be asked to provide personal information, such as account usernames and passwords that can further expose them to future compromises. Additionally, these fraudulent websites may contain malicious code. Cyber-criminals are aware of the fact that people look for visiting their loved ones during festivals. They make use of well-crafted websites with beautiful pictures with fake offers and holiday themes. This is done to trick the customers into entering their Credit Card details and other sensitive information.
5 Dangerous e-Card greeting: Online Christmas shopping is incomplete without posting any greeting card. eScan warns its readers and users not to open e-cards from someone whom they don’t know. The scammers use this opportunity to trap users to download a Malware onto their system by clicking a link or opening an attachment.
6 Deceptive Online Games: Who doesn’t love to purchase and play latest Games during Xmas? There are many unknown sites which offer full version downloads of games but users and readers need to be careful about Game’s download source. The download source might be laden with Malware. eScan advises all to download games from authorized app stores, legitimate company website and check online for reviews before downloading.
7 Shipment Notification Scams: Any online purchase gives shipping notification to the buyers. There are crooks who chalk out wrong intension with such notifications such as update your account details to know the shipment status. These carry malware that could infect the user’s system. eScan advises to check the authenticity of the sender’s e-mail addresses with such messages and check for unusual usage of language and grammar.
Don’t let Scammers spoil your Christmas and New Year shopping. Be aware and stay safe!
