102 - Internet and online security
Staying ahead of cybercriminals
Stay ahead of hackers and cybercriminals by understanding
the tactics they use to access your private data.
Ensure your software is up to date
Cybercriminals rely heavily upon software or platform
vulnerabilities, as they are the easiest way to sneak malware
into a user's device unnoticed, sometimes with little action
on the user's part. Immediately after a software
manufacturer announces an update, hackers are ready with
malware that can breach holes in the software that would
have been patched if the update was installed.
How to stay safe: Perform any and all software updates as
soon as they are available.
Keep a lookout for fake or phishing emails
Beware of emails that appear to be from a friend or
business colleague that you know but seem a little odd.
Maybe they didn't capitalize your name or there are
misspellings. The email might be from cybercriminals who
are trying to fool you into sending them your credit card
number, social security number, or logging into a fake bank
website that looks like yours but really isn't.
How to stay safe: Use a strong antispam filter. If an email
looks strange, don't click on anything and delete it
immediately. Instead manually launch a browser and type in
your bank's website address and log-in yourself.
Don't be fooled if someone calls your phone
A tech support scam is a form of online fraud where people
call you on the phone saying they're Technical Support from
a trusted company like Norton or Microsoft and that you
have a virus. The main motive behind these scams is to
extort money from the victim. Cybercriminals can also install
malware such as keylogging software or backdoor Trojans in
order to gain access to personal information.
How to stay safe: Don't fall for phone calls that tell you
your software or computer isn't working. Never give your
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