It’s a scam: On Facebook, posts are popping up asking you to share photos of missing kids or folks in need. The goal is to get a ton of shares, and then the posts are edited to include malicious links. Spot the fakes: If it’s a real story, local news or law enforcement accounts will post about it, too.
5 new tricks scammers are using now
In our ever-more-connected world, just navigating our favorite sites and services can feel like stepping into a minefield. From shady emails to dodgy social media messages to scammers gaming search engine results to steal your clicks. You have to know where it’s safe to tread, and that means knowing how to spot scammers.
Follow these tips to guard against some of the trickiest dangerous links.
Buttons, buttons everywhere
Have you ever downloaded an app from outside an app store? If you have, you’ll know the button purgatory you often face, with more “Download” buttons than you can shake a stick at. Finding the real one is like playing an awful guessing game. The prize? Maybe malware!
This isn’t as problematic on official app stores, so get your apps there if possible. Know what you’re clicking on if you must venture into a download site. Take a second to hover over a button and look in the bottom-left of your browser. If the web address has the file name and the software site name in it, it’s probably safe.
Trust your instincts, though. If it seems suspicious, find the download somewhere else.
App stores: No safe haven
App stores might be safer places to download, but that doesn’t mean they’re entirely safe. Scammers love to masquerade fake apps as legit ones. The same logo, a similar name — it’s easy to fall for these apps if you’re not alert.
Before hitting the “Install” button on any app, take a moment to check the app developer’s name and reviews. If users hate it or warn of malicious activity, steer clear.
Be cautious with Google
Google might be your go-to guru for most queries, but you shouldn’t trust it entirely. Scammers often buy top spot ads for popular searchers, and companies are pros at gaming the SEO algorithm to push their shady apps.
Before you click, check the URL. Don’t recognize it? Search for it to see if anyone else has fallen foul of it before.
Don't click that ad! It could be hiding malware
Malware can come from pretty much anywhere nowadays. Just previewing a Word doc could infect your device. Here’s what you need to know to stay safe.
What do you do when you need to find something online? “Just Google it!”
Worried about a link? Use this test before you click it
Before you click a link, how certain are you that it will take you to the webpage you are expecting? It’s nearly impossible to tell by simply looking at the address, especially when modified with a link shortener.
And criminals know that, so they often hide malicious links ingeniously. The address could seem legitimate, but when you look closer, you might spot some character substitutions, revealing a bogus destination.
3 nasty new phone scams to watch for
Some of the most common scams are phishing emails or text messages with malicious links or attachments. Sometimes you end up on a spoofed login page, and if you enter your credentials, you’re handing them over to criminals. But that’s not always the case. Some prefer to pick up the phone and call potential victims.
Hackers are smarter than ever: And they know exactly what to do to get even the savviest among us to click their malicious links. Don’t leave it up to chance. Protect all your devices with one subscription to my recommended award-winning antivirus software.
How to know if hackers are in your phone
The iPhone has a reputation for being secure. Apple has a closed operating system (as opposed to Android’s open-source) and more closely monitors and vets apps in the App Store. And with just one phone model, the iPhone, Apple can more easily push out updates and pressure its users to download them.
Looking for something to watch? This mistake puts your computer at risk
There are plenty of streaming services where you can get your fill of entertainment. With rising costs, you might be looking for ways to save money. Tap or click for a simple trick to save hundreds of dollars.
Services such as Netflix let you download content to your computer (depending on your subscription level), so you can watch it later. Similarly, the music service Spotify allows you to download songs and albums.
These free antivirus and cleaning apps are putting your phone at risk - Delete them now
You’re never 100% safe from cyberattacks, no matter how careful you are. From malware to viruses to breaches, the best you can do is take precautions to lower your risk.
You may think it’s easy to detect a hacker on your phone. It’s not. The longer a hack goes undetected, the more damage it can do. Tap or click here to learn about signs that your phone is under attack.
New spam text can't be blocked - Here's how to protect yourself
Paying your bills on time is something that most of us do without even thinking about it. It is so part of our everyday life that we don’t expect to be rewarded for it. Sure, there could be some occasions where companies might incentivize you for paying early, but that doesn’t happen often.
True or false: That email you got from the Social Security Administration is a phishing scam
We all know the risks that come with surfing the internet. Spoofed websites, malicious links and malware are more prevalent than ever. That’s why many people are cautious when handling suspicious correspondence.
After all, more than 80% of emails sent daily are spam. To drive more awareness about spam emails, various government departments often urge users not to open any messages that supposedly come from them.
Getting emails about the Equifax settlement? How to tell if they are real
Billions of emails sent daily are spam, making up 85% of all email traffic. So, when you receive something that seems fishy, our instinct is to delete them. Tap or click here to see the big mistake getting you more spam emails and texts.
Microsoft is emailing out gift cards (No, it's not a scam)
Phishing scams usually try to entice victims to click on malicious links. Those links can lead to fake websites where scammers hope you will enter personal details or banking information for them to steal. Tap or click here to see a recent fake invoice from Microsoft scam.
Sextortion emails are scary and effective - Victims out $8M so far this year
Scammers will do almost anything to get their hands on your personal information. Even though your social media accounts are of high value, photos of you in compromising situations can also yield a big reward for them. This is called sextortion and has been increasing at an alarming rate.
Delete these 9 sketchy Android apps now before they hack your Facebook account
Cybercriminals are always expanding their methods of attack. While much of their operations still focus on phishing emails and scam text messages, many have also incorporated malicious apps into their arsenal.
Many of these apps are found on the Google Play Store. A new crop of apps that security researchers have now discovered harbor malware. And it can have devastating consequences for anybody who installed them.
Use a PC? This new Microsoft phishing scam is mighty convincing
Over the last few years, we have seen several phishing and cyberattacks that seemed ingenious. From masking their appearance to hiding in plain sight, criminals will always develop malware to be as untraceable as possible.
Blackmail warning: Hackers are sending X-rated emails
Scammers know all the tricks to catch potential victims in their data-stealing traps. Hidden malware, fake advertising, or bogus phishing apps are all part of a cybercriminal’s technological arsenal. But there is one aspect that scammers frequently target: the human mind.
Worried about malware? Don't make these mistakes with your iPhone or iPad
When it comes to mobile devices, it’s Apple vs. everyone else. The iOS-powered iPhone and iPad are produced by the same company, while you can get an Android device from many manufacturers. The debate is one for the ages, but Apple fans have always had one key argument in their favor: malware and virus protection.
Don't click any email link or web link before asking these questions
Following a link in an email, text or on certain websites is always a bit of a gamble. On the other end of the link could be the information you want to see, or it could be a malicious website, virus-filled download or inappropriate content.
Phony Facebook friend requests are putting you in danger - how to spot them
If you’ve been using Facebook for years like most people, you’re probably familiar with the insane amount of notifications that can hit you at once. You’ll see things like upcoming birthdays, events from your groups and a plethora of other random activities from people you know.