In the News
Phishing email scams continue to trick online consumers. In Amazon Order Confirmation Phishing Scam, Kacy Zurkus at InfoSecurity Magazine discusses a phishing scheme that targets Amazon shoppers once they place an online order. Zurkus explains that users receive a legitimate-looking email regarding a recent order which then prompts the customer to click a link and open an attachment to learn more about their order. However, this instead facilitates the installation of malware onto the customer’s device.
Our Take
Phishing attacks are sneaky ways for digital attackers to install dangerous malware on your device or compromise your finances and personal information. Although many of these attacks utilize methods that appear legitimate, there are simple ways to prevent yourself from falling prey to such attacks. Knowing how to identify an email scam is vital in avoiding the dangers of phishing attacks. Unfortunately, phishing attempts continue to increase in complexity and torment consumers in a variety of industries. Whether in the workplace or while online shopping on sites like Amazon being careful about what you purchase and where you click can save you from compromising your personal and financial information.
Recommendations
How can you protect your personal information when making online purchases?
- Understand the risks of putting your personal information into the world, and only share what you have to
- Use safe password practices, and take advantage of Multi-factor Authentication where possible
- Avoid clicking directly on links, whether in email or social media – always search through your search engine to verify legitimacy and find the appropriate site
- Refrain from opening suspicious attachments
- Be mindful of your emails; always check the date, subject line, and recipients to confirm that you are reading and using the correct email
- Check your email, financial accounts, and credit reports regularly for abnormal activities
- Stay up to date on the news regarding recent fraud and phishing attacks to see if you may have been affected