What is Phishing? And How to Avoid Scams Like That?

Phishing messages (or phishing scam ) are among the biggest dangers on the internet. These fraud attempts arrive via email, social networks, WhatsApp, and the like, and can result in serious consequences for victims, especially financial loss.

It is to help you protect yourself against this danger so often that this text was written: in it, you will understand what phishing is, you will know how this type of message tries to deceive you and you will see tips on how to prevent yourself.

What is Phishing?

The term phishing refers to the English word fishing, which means "Pescara", in free translation. The association with this activity is not a mere chance: phishing scam is an attempted fraud on the Internet that uses "baits", that is, devices to attract a person's attention and make him perform some action.

If the individual "takes the bait", he may end up informing strangers of bank details or other confidential information, only realizing late on that he was the victim of online fraud. In the same way, you can infect your computer or smartphone with a virus or other malware.

Phishing often arrives via email, but it can also exploit other means, such as SMS, social networks, and instant messaging services, such as WhatsApp, Telegram, and Facebook Messenger.

Typically, messages of this type are created to appear to be issued by well-known institutions, such as banks, telephone operators, government agencies (such as the IRS or some DMV), and credit card administrators, although they can also impersonate individuals.

This is one of the main features of phishing scams. Another is the arguments used to convince the user to click on a questionable link or file that accompanies the message.

Main Dangers of Phishing

Arroba - illustrative image a person receives a phishing scam message and does not realize that they are facing fraudulent content, they can take an action that will result in financial loss or other inconvenience.

An e-mail of the type that passes for bank notice, for example, can guide the user to click on a link to update a record. In doing so, the person will fall on a fake website, but very similar to that of the banking institution. If you do not notice that that page is not legitimate, it will provide sensitive data, such as the current account number and account access password.

This type of fraud is so common that, today, many banks use complementary protection measures, such as requiring an extra code sent by SMS or application or allowing the user to access the account only from registered cell phones or computers.

In a more sophisticated scheme, the message may contain an attachment or link that points to malware. If the user executes it, the plague will install on his computer or mobile device and will be able to perform a series of actions, such as recording typed data, capturing user files, or monitoring his activities on the web.

Another possible consequence of phishing is to confirm that the user's email or mobile number is active. After that, the person will start receiving other messages of the type of SPAM (unsolicited e-mails) and can still be classified as a "potential target": when executing the action of the first message, he told the scammers not to know how to identify misleading content.

Variations can affect the user in other ways. A person can, for example, accept an invitation to a supposed game on a social network. In doing so, the malicious application can automatically issue invitations to other users. These, upon realizing that the invitation came from an acquaintance, will be able to accept it, continuing the scheme.

It doesn't end there. Other examples of problems: the user's computer, if infected by malware, can emit SPAMs; accounts on online services can be hacked thanks to the capture of passwords and usernames; the person may make purchases on a fraudulent website and, for this reason, not receive the product; and so on.

What if the Phishing Has My Full Name or Social Security Number?

It may happen that phishing has your full name, social security number, or other personal information. The objective here is obvious: with this data, it is easier to convince you of something.

Fortunately, this type of message is unusual. What happens is that, in some way, the fraudster had access to a database with people records. This is possible, for example, when an online store is hacked or when an employee of a company improperly resells information.

Therefore, even when the message contains personal data, do not disregard the possibility of an attempted coup there.

Tips to Protect Yourself From Phishing

It is practically impossible to prevent scams from reaching you, but a few simple precautions help you get rid of the danger:

• The first is to observe the characteristics of the message (visual, spelling errors, suspicious links, persuasive arguments, among others), as explained above;
• Remember that debt notices, court summons, or registration requests, for example, are not usually made by email or social media, but by correspondence sent to your home or workplace. Do not be carried away by the threatening or alarmist tone of the message;
• Be suspicious of very generous offers. Nobody will give you prizes for contests that you are not participating in or will offer a product with a price much lower than what is practiced by the market. If you are required to pay a fee or make a cash contribution, you can be sure that it is fraud;
• Be careful with your curiosity and be wary of sensational news, conspiracy theories or news that cannot be confirmed in renowned vehicles;
• If you have doubts about the legitimacy of a message, contact the mentioned company or institution by phone or official website to ask for clarification;
• Use total security software and update your software, especially browsers. They can block inadvertent clicks on malicious files or links;
• If you are sure that a message is phishing, delete it immediately. You can also mark it as spam when possible. This is because, depending on the service used, if a significant number of users mark a message as such, it can be automatically blocked in other people's accounts;
• Pass these guidelines on to family, friends, co-workers and other close people to prevent them from falling victim to the problem.

I Fell Into Phishing. What to Do?

• If you took any action due to the influence of phishing, you must act soon. If you have entered a fake bank website and entered your personal data, for example, you must immediately contact the bank to block your account and obtain a new password. If you have already passed your credit card details, it is important to contact the operator to cancel it and check for unrecognized entries.
• If you've clicked on malware, it's a good idea to check your computer or mobile device with an up-to-date, reliable antivirus. In addition, it may also be a good idea to change passwords entered after contamination.
• In the event of injury or any other considerable inconvenience, do not hesitate to seek guidance from law enforcement or judicial authorities.

Basic Tips for Working Safely From Home

During the days, many companies ask employees to work remotely. Working remotely can introduce some new security issues, especially for users who are not working in the office.

Here are some tips to help you run more reliably on home computers (WFH).

Choose a Good Work Area

There are plenty of tips here on how to choose a space that is comfortable for you and what you can minimize, but there are other safety guidelines as well.

• Choose a personal space. If you work from home, this may be easier than if you work in a cafe or library. Pick a place where people can't draw "cure". See your opinion on what's on the screen.
• If you're having trouble finding a personal place to work, you may be able to get a privacy filter. This is a protective panel that attaches to the screen and makes it difficult to read the contents of the screen unless you are directly in front of it.
• If you have conference calls or video meetings, keep in mind if other people can eavesdrop even if they weren't available to other people. Even if you are wearing headphones (especially in some cases). Other people can still hear voice communication when dictation. Make sure you are using meeting software with advanced security features.
• Do not allow family members to use your work devices. If you want to switch from your device to the kitchen or bathroom, lock your device so other users can't see what you're working on. Press Windows Logo key + L on a Windows device or Control + Command + Q on a Mac to quickly lock the screen. After you return, you will have to quickly enter it and everything should be right where you left it.
• Use only encrypted business Wi-Fi networks. Wi-Fi encrypted with WPA-2 is more secure than Wi-Fi access. If you work from home, make sure you are using your home Wi-Fi network and all home routers support encryption.
• If you need to access resources, such as servers, that are on your organization's network, use a VPN (virtual private network) connection to connect to your Office account. VPN creates an encrypted tunnel for network traffic and makes it even more difficult to intercept traffic. If you are unsure if your company supports a virtual private network (VPN) or how to connect to it, contact your IT support staff.

Data Protection

If your device is available or borrowed, what can you do to reduce the amount of data they can receive.

• Use strong authentication to access the device, such as Windows Hello. PIN, fingerprint or face, if supported by the device.
• Now you can think about what passwords you are using. If you are using simple passwords such as "funny" or "password1", now is the time to upgrade to a more secure password. "Length" is more important than complexity, although both have roles. The password must be at least 12 characters long and not in English, as well as in the dog's name. You can use a phrase such as your favorite Lyric song, movie sentence, or poetry to create a long, complex password, but easy to remember. 
• Make sure local drive encryption is enabled, such as BitLocker. Thus, if your device is lost or stolen, it becomes difficult to access local data.
• Make sure that your device has security updates and that you have anti-malware software, such as Total Security Software, running.
• Use a modern browser and make sure you are using the latest version.
• Store your files in a secure cloud location, not on a local drive or removable media. Secure cloud storage like Google Drive or OneDrive for work or school means that even if a physical device is lost or stolen, your data is still available to you and your company.
• Wherever possible, use the web version of your applications, such as Word, Outlook, or Excel. In addition, you can store your files in a secure cloud location, since when using the web version of the applications, your data remains on the server and is not downloaded to your local device.
• Stay connected with the company while you work with remote contacts. Your IT department may have special requests or create new tools. If you suspect that your device or your data has been compromised in any way, notify them immediately so that they can investigate the situation and take steps to prevent unnecessary damage.
• Now, wherever you are, Temptation can use unapproved funds or store data outside of company resources. If you don't want your job done, ask the IT department, or Supplement your own control route. It is possible that you find systems that are not performing well if you are not in the office. Now is the perfect time to make sure you can work on these issues together.
• Phishing messages and phone calls alert. Criminals try to take advantage and uncertainty by sending an email that appears to you from authorities or company executives to Lure to try to open malicious links or provide personal information.
• Never click an attachment you didn't expect, even if it sounds familiar. Before opening an attachment, you can always check it to make sure you like it.

Top 10 Tips for Information and Internet Security in 2020 | Total Security Software

In this article, we will get to know the most important things that can help a person maintain Internet Security and information security from hackers who seek to obtain it.

Information and Internet Security

Information security and Internet Security has become one of the things that you should pay attention to because the Internet has become the center of all activities these days, such as financial transactions, entertainment or educational tasks, and these are just a few of the things we can do over the Internet.

What is Information Security?

Information security is the science that deals with securing information that is circulated over the Internet from all possible risks that may threaten it.

More than three billion of the world's population already now has access to the Internet. In developed and industrialized countries, the internet usage rate is 81%.

Taking into account the total dependence on the World Wide Web for most of the people, these statistics are not surprising, with the tremendous benefits accruing to people, we also do not forget that there are a number of disadvantages of the Internet as well.

The biggest of these shortcomings is the threat to individuals' privacy and information security. Since most of your information is now available online and the general level of security is not sufficient, the responsibility to protect yourself is great and falls on you. There are several ways in which this can be guaranteed.

What is Internet Security?

Internet Security is all the various methods and means that aim to protect Internet accounts and protect files from hackers or by unauthorized external users to access these accounts or files and threaten Internet Security.

In this article, we will provide you with the most important tips that you should know in order to ensure the safety of your information security and Internet Security.

1. Remember to Log Out

Access to online accounts is one of the biggest information security threats that individuals face today.

Since the use of social media accounts such as Google and Facebook is very widespread and widespread, you may log in to different places but forget to log out.

This means that any time someone opens the browser on that particular device, they are instantly received by your account with full access.

Many of us face this problem frequently but we still forget to log out after using personal accounts on public devices and this is a big mistake.

Make sure to log out of all devices after using these accounts. Also, be careful when handing over your personal device to random people as this puts Internet Security and individual privacy at risk.

2. Do Not Access Confidential Accounts on Networks or Public Devices

For many people, there are different types of sensitive information. It could be like social media profiles, emails, or other family details. Financial data like credit cards and PayPal accounts are definitely confidential to all of us.

Accordingly, you should not open these accounts, which should be kept highly confidential on public devices or networks and thus be able to increase your information security.

Unless you fully trust the service provider or the owner of the device, it is recommended to avoid this habit. Even when you think they are reliable, make sure you are extra vigilant.

Public devices and networks are insecure which means that information can be hacked quite easily. This puts any sensitive data at high risk.

3. Use a VPN

Tracking location by IP addresses is very easy these days. Moreover, internet service providers use it to track browsing sessions and information entered online. The VPN service deals with both of these issues for you.

Instead of your IP address going directly to your local ISP, it points to the secure servers of VPN service providers.

Programs like Ivacy have over a thousand servers in over a hundred countries. The IP address is sent to your preferred server and then received by the local provider making it impossible for it to know your exact location and browsing data.

In order to better keep your information secure, using a VPN service is a good option.

4. Be Wary of Services That Ask for Your Details in Exchange for Information or Rewards

Information security, Internet Security, electronic security

Many sites that rely on online popup ads require users to fill out some surveys in exchange for coupons or prizes. These links are not always reliable.

Often times, it's an attempt to gather as much email addresses or contact information as possible, to create marketing guides that can be sold to companies.

In other cases, it can also be used to claim unwanted downloads that contain viruses or any other harmful content.

There are many methods used by these services to obtain sensitive details targeting information security, allowing them to significantly penetrate individual privacy.

If you end up entering important details into a website of this nature, the consequences could range from sending an unwanted email to identity theft, and impersonation.

5. Be Careful When Sharing Your Location

This is the most common information security related security threat on mobile devices. Almost every application requires the ability to allow access to location services for one reason or no.

User location can provide a lot of information regarding their whereabouts on the go, residential address or workplace, etc.

For some services, we allow them to track our location, but others can use our IP addresses to find out where we are. For example, Google uses geolocation to display homepages related to your country.

In cases of trusted apps, location tracking may not pose a serious threat to information security, but in the event that cybercriminals obtain private details such as your home or business address, the results can sometimes be very disastrous.

6. Do Not Interact With Suspicious Emails

Email messages are now the most common method of fraud and spoofing information security. In 2018, ransomware became a major nuisance causing billions of dollars in damage.

This included both multinational companies and individual users. Ransomware was sent to these systems through email attachments, in reliable formats like Microsoft Office software formats.

Users downloaded these attachments, out of curiosity, and immediately, all of their private files began to encrypt. Ransomware, as the name indicates, contains information about ransomware. You pay the required amount and get your data back.

This is just one of the information and Internet Security disasters that may result from interacting with suspicious emails that may reach you.

Some random surveys may collect data from you and use it in various ways that may not be legal. So, be sure to check the email sender and read only the ones you can completely trust.

7. Use a Strong Password

Most accounts require users to set passwords that include letters, numbers, and symbols for added security. Simpler passwords can be easy to remember, but they are vulnerable to hacking.

The more difficult the password, the more difficult it is to guess. It can be difficult to remember but there are a number of ways to make sure you don't forget your password.

The safest thing is to type the password in a separate application, such as the notes application, on your phone. This is the most secure option, then this app can then be encrypted so that it requires a passcode, or a fingerprint scan to unlock it.

8. Manage Your Cookies

Websites are becoming more powerful because they have to cater to a lot of information. In order to maintain customer attention levels through fast browsing, some websites store large chunks of data on your computer.

This is usually the information that will be used frequently. So, instead of downloading this information from the website's server every time, it is downloading from your computer.

As a result, browsing becomes smoother. These pieces of data are known as cookies.

Once cookies are stored on your computer, cyber hackers have the ability to target your digital and information security, especially if the system you are working on contains an error or a virus.

Therefore, always use your browser settings to request permission before allowing cookies to be stored. And to keep more information secure, avoid cookies from all websites except for those that are completely reliable.

9. Browse Anonymously

The user's IP is always visible to internet service providers and government agencies which means they can track anything you do. Also, other services such as HBO, for example, use location services to block their services to anyone outside the United States.

This can be a nuisance for a number of people at times. Using a VPN and masking your identity is the easiest solution to this problem.

10. Be Careful What You Share Online

Facebook has recently come under fire for improper use of the information of a large number of people registered on the platform. This incident revealed that the things we share online are vulnerable to abuse.

This is why it is imperative that users be wary about Internet Security and the things they post online.

Details that we previously posted online can be misused in a number of ways.

Conclusion

Along with the above tips, this is very necessary to install security software (for example- total security software) to protect your data from internet threats like malware.

Tips for How to Safely Save on Video Games

The risks of pirated games, activation codes from gray market sites, and ready-made accounts from official stores.

Modern games can be quite costly, and not everyone can afford to get them at full price. Some players believe that entertainment, in general, shouldn't cost that much. Even so, many do not want to miss out on the games and are therefore looking for other alternatives, including those that flirt with illegality. If you are one of this group of gamers, you should be careful because unpleasant surprises can lurk around the next corner.

Pirated Copies

A common way to get a game cheaply is by downloading a pirated version. It's neither legal nor ethical, but let's be honest, it doesn't stop many from doing what they want. However, these types of free games can come at a high price: scammers spread malware, often disguised as game crackers or activation keys, and their traps can be difficult to circumvent.

Fraudulent Activation Codes

At first glance, another and completely legal way of saving money on games is to buy an activation key in an unofficial shop. The prices there are usually lower than on official websites and thus attract the bargain hunters among gamers.

The gray market, however, is dubious; therefore the name. Aside from honest sellers who buy keys in bulk and offer them at a discount, there are also a few scammers in this world. To distinguish them from normal sellers is not always easy.

The activation keys for sale could have been stolen or only intended for journalistic purposes. Such keys tend to be revoked by publishers, with the result that the key either doesn't work in the first place or the game suddenly disappears from the account. It is possible, after much back and forth, to prove that the activation key was purchased in good faith, without having known about its dubious origin. But are these few toads worth all of the inconvenience?

Anyway, the main argument for buying games is to help the developers so that these multiplayer servers can maintain and develop new games and sequels. If you buy a stolen key, the money goes straight into the pockets of the thief and the developers get nothing.

Also, both developers and publishers have to invest a lot of resources to investigate such cases and also grapple with affected customers and claims for damages. Because of this, some independent studios have even advised gamers to download a pirated copy rather than pass money to the gray market sellers.

Ready-to-use Accounts

It's not hard to find a great offer for a ready-made account that is teeming with games on a platform like Steam or Origin. Compared to the price of each game, such accounts can be real discounts. The sellers explain their generosity z. B. with the fact that they have stopped playing and want to recoup at least some of their expenses.

What can go wrong there? A lot. First, the seller could be a bald scam who steals your money and then disappears, leaving you with no account and a hole in your wallet. The real disadvantage is that you can no longer turn to anyone: the gaming platforms expressly prohibit the sale of accounts, which makes buying them illegally.

Second, the account could turn out to be stolen. The real owner could ask for this account back sooner or later (which is logical). In this case, you lose the money you paid to the criminals. The same applies here: If the initial purchase has violated the rules of the platform, legal action is pointless.

Third, even if the account exists and is owned by the seller, and even if the seller hands it over to you, you are still not guaranteed a smooth transaction. After receiving the money, the seller could request an account recovery claiming you stole the account.

Fourth, gaming platforms are hostile to such “shadow trade”. If the system detects the transfer of the account, it could simply block the account "until the circumstances are cleared up." That is, you will never see this account again.

Last but not least, trading accounts through gaming platforms is prohibited. So if a transaction goes wrong, you are wrong. That's why buying a secondhand gaming platform account is perhaps the riskiest way to save on games. It is better not to mess around with this option.

Play in Official Stores

If you want to save money without taking any chances, then stick to the law (which we recommend anyway). This also includes keeping an eye out for possible discounts and special offers or downloading inexpensive or free games from official websites.

Patience also helps a few years after initial release, you can get games between 80 and 90% cheaper, so you can save a lot of money with a little patience.

In any case, it is always essential to remain careful; even Steam is not immune to malware. In 2018, for example, scammers uploaded a miner disguised as a simple platform operator.

Also, in some cases, cybercriminals create fake game pages, either by setting up a separate website or on Steam itself. If you accidentally land on a fake page, you run the risk of infecting yourself and losing your account. In short: check everything carefully!

How to Save on Games - Without Any Risk

To avoid the hassle of finding discounted games, we recommend the following:

• Only buy games from official websites and wait for discounts. These are available at regular intervals so that you usually don't have to wait long for them.
• Don't buy the first offer that opens up to you. At least read some reviews of the offer. If something is fishy, ​​people will likely find out.
• Use reliable total security software that won't let suspicious programs on your computer, no matter how interesting.