Received a message from FedEx or UPS about a package you didn’t order? Don’t fall for it —clicking that link could put your personal and financial information at risk.
Scareware 101: How to spot this dangerous cyberattack and protect yourself
Spam is unavoidable: It clutters your phone call history and chokes your email inbox. Like spam, scareware is another annoyance that seems to go hand-in-hand with internet access. It’s why you should never click pop-ups that say your system is at risk.
Most cybersecurity experts say scareware has been around since 1990, when Patrick Evans designed a program called NightMare to attack computers. A creepy image of a bloody skull took over victims’ screens — and an echoing shriek assaulted the ears.
The aptly named NightMare set a disturbing precedent. Cybercriminals have since used scareware to wrestle millions of dollars from unsuspecting victims. In this article, you’ll learn how to prevent falling victim to scareware.
Scareware definition: How this cyberattack works
Picture this: You’re surfing the web, minding your own business. Then, a random pop-up says your computer has a virus. It looks legitimate, with a technical design similar to that of Apple or another trustworthy brand.
You fall for the pop-up’s claims since it looks like it came from a reliable source. You immediately feel stressed out. After all, your whole system could be in danger.
Most scareware pop-ups urge you to click it or else.
For example, they’ll say to “click here” to remove the viruses. You might do what the pop-up asks since you don’t want your device infected with malware. Unfortunately, clicking on the link will download viruses onto your device.
That’s right: You had no viruses on your phone or computer. The pop-up was lying. Cybercriminals manipulate your emotions so they can scare you into action.
How you might encounter scareware
Famous scareware attacks came in many different forms. You can encounter these nasty scams on your phone, tablet or computer. This is why you need antivirus protection on all your devices. Here’s how to set up cybersecurity programs on your iPhone or Android.
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.
Don't fall for this Google scam about a compromised account
Cybercriminals use every trick in their malicious arsenal to steal personal details. That means they often impersonate actual companies through text messages and emails, claiming something is wrong with your account. Tap or click here for Text scams 101: How to spot a fake Google message.
How to spot Super Bowl betting scams
Crooks never sleep, and they’re incredibly aggressive during busy times of the year when the victim pool is deep. Tax season is here, and we already see an uptick in scams. Here’s how to spot one and avoid sending your hard-earned money to a criminal.
Smishing - what you need to know
Cybercriminals are posing as trusted organizations to steal your info. Find out how to protect yourself.
Smishing is spreading - How to spot it
You’re putting yourself at risk if you aren’t up-to-date on the biggest scamming schemes. There are a lot of widespread cons that many people don’t know about. Tap or click here for seven new scams to watch out for.
Take smishing, for example. While it isn’t all that new, it’s still not the most well-known term. But it’s a spreading issue that threatens anyone who owns a smartphone, so it’s best to find out what it is now.
Amazon scam: Don't fall for this fake text! It'll cost you
Scammers have no morals. That’s why they are out in full force around the holidays. Tap or click here for the top three scams to watch for this holiday season.
But there’s a new scheme to rip you off that you must be aware of. It’s based on online shopping, which millions of people are doing now.
Getting texts that just say 'hi'? You're not alone
Most of us get tons of emails daily. It can be overwhelming to stare at an inox with hundreds of unopened messages. Tap or click here for simple solutions to get a handle on your inbox.
Text messages are another story. You might be part of a group chat with family members who ping you all hours of the day and night. Then there are random texts that come from people you don’t know. That’s where you need to be careful. It could be part of an elaborate scheme to rip you off.
Did you get a verification code you didn't request? You could be in danger
Our content marketing queen Allie gets texts with her Uber sign-in code now and then. The problem? She’s not trying to get into her Uber account; someone else is.
She ignores them because she’s well-versed in smishing, phishing and other criminal schemes. Tap or click here for a crash course in smishing scams. But of course, not all texts with verification codes are fraudulent.
Cybersecurity experts warn of impending attacks - Do this now to prepare
In the very first days that the Russia Ukraine war started, I warned you about 10 Russia-Ukraine cons to expect. We’re already seeing evidence of those scams in action. Be sure you’re keeping your digital guard up.
Clicking on one of these texts allows devious malware to take over your phone
Text messages have not gone out of fashion. While platforms like WhatsApp and Telegram have exploded in use, 2.1 trillion text messages were still sent in 2020. Facebook Messenger is also a popular choice, and the company recently introduced end-to-end encryption.
Scary smartphone malware just got worse - How to spot it
Updated 10/11/2021 – Tanglebot malware started spreading last month through fake text messages regarding COVID-19 regulations and vaccinations. Cybercriminals behind this tricky scheme are now sending bogus messages claiming you’re about to experience local power outages. If you click links found inside these messages, your device will be infected with Tanglebot malware. Keep reading for more details and how to avoid falling victim.
Don't be fooled! Fake Netflix apps are spreading malware
Everybody loves a good bargain, coupon or discount code. But it has once again become clear that you can’t trust everything you find online or receive in a text message.
There are plenty of fake apps and services that will do nothing but steal your details, and it’s getting worse. Criminals responsible are becoming craftier, spoofing real websites and services and loading them with malware. Tap or click here for details on spoofing.
Scam alert: PayPal account 'limited,' phishing text claims
Another day, another phishing scam. If it seems like we’re dealing with a huge influx of scams right now, you’re right. We are.
Email and web-related scams skyrocketed at the start of the pandemic, and they’re still going strong. Tap or click here for ways scammers are using COVID vaccines to get you. Add in the other recent types of schemes, like shopping and IRS scams, and it’s clear that cybercriminals have been working overtime.
Outsmart scammers! Fake delivery and shipping text red flags
If you thought Black Friday was a big deal this year, Cyber Monday completely blew it out of the water. Adobe Analytics reports that shoppers collectively spent $10.8 billion over 24 hours, making it the single biggest e-commerce day in history.
Nasty shopping and shipping text scams spreading right now
With the holiday shopping season just around the corner, you’ve probably subscribed to all sorts of shopping notifications and shipping alerts. This is smart, since you’ll know exactly when your packages are due to arrive and when hot deals go live.
Watch your phone for 6 phony messages costing people money
If you’ve seen an influx of annoying texts on your smartphone recently, you’re not alone. Scammers are increasingly shifting to text messages as their preferred strategy — and they’ve got plenty of new tricks up their sleeves to hook unsuspecting victims.