Page 23 - index
P. 23
BEST PRACTICES & STRATEGIES
McAfee’s annual list of the most
popular digital scams
2014 has been dubbed “the year of that leads to exposing credit has been compromised and
the breach,” with cybersecurity- card information falls into this requesting personal information
related headlines making news al- category. Make sure you check including the account pass-
most constantly. With the holiday your credit card statements vigi- word, to make changes.
season already underway, McAfee lantly and stay on top of break- 9. ATM skimming — During the
wants to educate people on how to ing news to be aware and pre- holiday season, you need cash
stay safe and avoid online threats pared. and are usually in a rush to get
created by cybercriminals looking 5. iScams — New mobile apps it. Criminals can access your
to take advantage of unsuspecting for Android and iOS devices are information at ATMs by in-
consumers. added every day. Thanks to the stalling skimming devices to
ongoing advancement of tech- steal the data off your card’s
In its annual “12 Scams of the Holi- nology, your mobile device can magnetic strip and either using
days” list, McAfee shares the most control the temperature in your a video camera or keypad over-
popular digital scams that leverage house, keep you connected to lay to capture your PIN. A sim-
all types of digital devices, social social media and add cool fil- ple solution: look carefully at
media platforms and mobile apps. ters to your holiday photos. your ATM for anything suspi-
To help you staying safe: Even the most official-looking or cious and cover the keypad
festive apps could be malicious when entering your PIN.
and access your personal infor- 10. Year in review traps — Many
1. You’ve got mail! — As holiday mation.
sales continue to migrate news services capitalize on the
online, the risk for shipping noti- 6. Getting carded — Digital e- holidays by developing “Year in
fication and phishing scams are cards to spread the holiday Review” articles. Companies
increasing. Though malware is cheer are fun, easy and most should warn their employees
a year-round risk, since many importantly, thoughtful. While about the risks of clicking on
people do their holiday shop- you may want a loved one to these types of links from their
ping online, consumers are send you “Season’s Greetings,” work emails. Links from phony
more apt to click on a shipping hackers are looking to wish you sources could infect and com-
notification or phishing malware a “Merry Malware!” Well-known promise the security of compa-
e-mail because they think it is e-card sites are safe, but be ny devices.
legit. wary of potential scams that 11. BYO…device — With an in-
2. Deceptive advertising — Eve- cause you to download mal- crease in travel, activity (and
ware onto your device.
ryone is searching for steals bubbly!) over the busy holiday
and deals during the holidays. 7. Holiday travel scams — With season, people are more likely
Keep your eyes peeled (and travel on the rise during peak to forget their smart phones in
your wallet in check) when holiday times, online scammers public places. While inconven-
online shopping for this sea- are ready to take advantage of ient for them, it is also way for
son’s most coveted products. the fact that consumers often hackers to access sensitive
Dangerous links, phony con- become less vigilant about their personal information and busi-
tests on social media, and bo- safety. Fake online travel deal ness data if the appropriate
gus gift cards are just some of links are bountiful, but there are security measures are not in
the ways scammers try to steal also risks that exist once you place.
your personal information and arrive at your destination includ- 12. Bad USB blues — During the
ruin your holiday cheer. ing spyware that can access holiday season, you may see
3. Chilling charities — ‘Tis the your information through log- an increase in gift baskets from
ging onto infected PCs onsite.
season for giving. During the vendors who want to continue
holidays, many consumers give 8. Bank robocall scam — When doing business with your com-
back by donating to their favor- holiday spending increases and pany in the upcoming year. One
ite charity. Sadly, no good deed consumers are aware of the of the most popular items in
goes unpunished. Be wary of abuse to their bank accounts these baskets includes branded
fake charities that could reach and credit cards, hackers use USBs. Beware of allowing your
you via email, or are shared this as an opportunity. In most employees to use these, as
virally through social media. cases, consumers receive a undetectable malware is some-
times pre-installed on them. ◊
4. Buyer beware — There are fake phone call from one of
these institutions from an auto-
just some scams that you can’t mated (or not) “security agent” By MediaBUZZ
help but fall victim to, unfortu- stating that the user’s account
nately. Point of sale malware
MediaBUZZ Pte Ltd - Independant ePublisher for Asia
McAfee’s annual list of the most
popular digital scams
2014 has been dubbed “the year of that leads to exposing credit has been compromised and
the breach,” with cybersecurity- card information falls into this requesting personal information
related headlines making news al- category. Make sure you check including the account pass-
most constantly. With the holiday your credit card statements vigi- word, to make changes.
season already underway, McAfee lantly and stay on top of break- 9. ATM skimming — During the
wants to educate people on how to ing news to be aware and pre- holiday season, you need cash
stay safe and avoid online threats pared. and are usually in a rush to get
created by cybercriminals looking 5. iScams — New mobile apps it. Criminals can access your
to take advantage of unsuspecting for Android and iOS devices are information at ATMs by in-
consumers. added every day. Thanks to the stalling skimming devices to
ongoing advancement of tech- steal the data off your card’s
In its annual “12 Scams of the Holi- nology, your mobile device can magnetic strip and either using
days” list, McAfee shares the most control the temperature in your a video camera or keypad over-
popular digital scams that leverage house, keep you connected to lay to capture your PIN. A sim-
all types of digital devices, social social media and add cool fil- ple solution: look carefully at
media platforms and mobile apps. ters to your holiday photos. your ATM for anything suspi-
To help you staying safe: Even the most official-looking or cious and cover the keypad
festive apps could be malicious when entering your PIN.
and access your personal infor- 10. Year in review traps — Many
1. You’ve got mail! — As holiday mation.
sales continue to migrate news services capitalize on the
online, the risk for shipping noti- 6. Getting carded — Digital e- holidays by developing “Year in
fication and phishing scams are cards to spread the holiday Review” articles. Companies
increasing. Though malware is cheer are fun, easy and most should warn their employees
a year-round risk, since many importantly, thoughtful. While about the risks of clicking on
people do their holiday shop- you may want a loved one to these types of links from their
ping online, consumers are send you “Season’s Greetings,” work emails. Links from phony
more apt to click on a shipping hackers are looking to wish you sources could infect and com-
notification or phishing malware a “Merry Malware!” Well-known promise the security of compa-
e-mail because they think it is e-card sites are safe, but be ny devices.
legit. wary of potential scams that 11. BYO…device — With an in-
2. Deceptive advertising — Eve- cause you to download mal- crease in travel, activity (and
ware onto your device.
ryone is searching for steals bubbly!) over the busy holiday
and deals during the holidays. 7. Holiday travel scams — With season, people are more likely
Keep your eyes peeled (and travel on the rise during peak to forget their smart phones in
your wallet in check) when holiday times, online scammers public places. While inconven-
online shopping for this sea- are ready to take advantage of ient for them, it is also way for
son’s most coveted products. the fact that consumers often hackers to access sensitive
Dangerous links, phony con- become less vigilant about their personal information and busi-
tests on social media, and bo- safety. Fake online travel deal ness data if the appropriate
gus gift cards are just some of links are bountiful, but there are security measures are not in
the ways scammers try to steal also risks that exist once you place.
your personal information and arrive at your destination includ- 12. Bad USB blues — During the
ruin your holiday cheer. ing spyware that can access holiday season, you may see
3. Chilling charities — ‘Tis the your information through log- an increase in gift baskets from
ging onto infected PCs onsite.
season for giving. During the vendors who want to continue
holidays, many consumers give 8. Bank robocall scam — When doing business with your com-
back by donating to their favor- holiday spending increases and pany in the upcoming year. One
ite charity. Sadly, no good deed consumers are aware of the of the most popular items in
goes unpunished. Be wary of abuse to their bank accounts these baskets includes branded
fake charities that could reach and credit cards, hackers use USBs. Beware of allowing your
you via email, or are shared this as an opportunity. In most employees to use these, as
virally through social media. cases, consumers receive a undetectable malware is some-
times pre-installed on them. ◊
4. Buyer beware — There are fake phone call from one of
these institutions from an auto-
just some scams that you can’t mated (or not) “security agent” By MediaBUZZ
help but fall victim to, unfortu- stating that the user’s account
nately. Point of sale malware
MediaBUZZ Pte Ltd - Independant ePublisher for Asia
