The benefits that the internet offers in today’s world are undeniable – providing endless opportunities to both individuals and businesses alike. Unlike in the past, where many life processes require a lot of time and effort, we can now easily reach out to loved ones instantly, shop for goods online, perform transactions, own an online store, among others, without leaving the comfort of homes. All these are made possible through the widespread availability of various mobile applications, web pages, social media apps, eCommerce sites that can be accessed easily on mobile devices such as phones, laptops and smart tabs. Avoid Internet Scams follow the Guest Posting as we provides you most updated technology news.
According to research, India’s total population of internet users is expected to reach 900 million in 2025. The country is ranked second place among countries with the biggest online presence across the globe. The primary key behind the enormous growth of the internet in India is the easy accessibility of phones and other mobile devices – even the rural areas. It is also worthy of note that the higher percentage of the Indian population are youths – contributing more to the internet penetration in the country. Another factor behind this growth is the COVID-19 pandemic which brought about social distancing orders and lockdown of many workplaces. Like with the rest of the world, the pandemic left Indians with no choice but to go online for entertainment, shopping, and other transactions. For instance, sports lovers took to online streaming platforms to enjoy their favourite games and tournaments – such as the IPL. You can https://parimatch.in/en/top-sport-events to learn more about sporting events in India.
As the number of internet users continues to increase rapidly, more valuable data and information are shared every minute on various online platforms – leaving almost everyone at the risk of attacks and threats from cybercriminals. These criminals obtain personal information illegally using sophisticated techniques, gain access into accounts and cause massive losses to victims in terms of money and data. This process is otherwise known as ‘internet scams.’ It is reported that millions of people fall victim to attacks by criminals every year. According to reports from the FBI, 791,790 complaints of suspected cyber attacks were reported in 2020, resulting in losses piling up to $4.2 billion.
While we enjoy the endless opportunities presented by the internet, we must also be careful to learn effective measures to protect ourselves from different types of internet scams. In this article, we will review four significant ways to avoid internet scams.
Ensure the website is secure- Avoid Internet Scams
Whether you are shopping online or registering for an important event, the first step in avoiding being scammed is to check for the legitimacy of the website you are surfing. While shopping online, the safest option is to use an online shopping website that you are familiar with, as cybercriminals are clever in creating fake websites that look like real ones to steal valuable information and scam unsuspecting internet users of their money. Always check the website address to make sure it starts with HTTPS and has a tiny yellow padlock symbol that confirms secure transactions.
Ensure you examine a website’s design and layout quality and look for essential pages such as ‘Contact Us’ ‘About Us’ pages. Often, fake websites will have poor design quality and lack standard pages. Don’t also forget to read up reviews about the websites from their past customers on other review websites.
Take your passwords seriously
Most people are often tempted to use words or phrases that can be easily remembered as passwords on online accounts, such as birth dates, spouse or family members’ names, pet’s names, favourite music or colour, etc. This is extremely dangerous as it leaves an account at high risk of being hacked into by cybercriminals. Your password is your primary line of defence against cyberattacks such as financial scams and identity thefts; therefore, it must be strong and unique – consisting of a mixture of letters, numbers and characters, which are difficult for attackers to guess. It is also essential that you modify passwords from time to time to always stay ahead of these criminals.
Another common mistake that subjects people to online scams is using the same passwords across all of their accounts. This is equally dangerous as one account being compromised can result in every other account getting hacked. You should use password managers as they help you keep track of each unique password you create for different online accounts.
Look out for phishing scams – Avoid Internet Scams
Phishing is the most common type of attack on this internet and can occur via email, phone calls or messages. Email phishing is most common. It involves a scammer impersonating a service that you usually use, such as banks or online shopping websites and sending you a fake email that looks legitimate. These emails may instruct you to provide certain personal information or consist of a malicious link or attachment. Either way, the scammer tries to gain access to your personal information and cart away huge funds from your account.
The solution to phishing attacks is to avoid opening messages and emails from a suspected or non-recognized source. You also have to avoid divulging valuable information to scam callers who claim to be from legit agencies. Know that legitimate agencies will never ask for vital information via email or phone.
Protect your internet connection
While it may not hurt to connect to public Wi-Fi at a Café once in a while, you must know that these networks are not very secure and thus not advisable for sending personal data. Cybercriminals are always lurking around public Wi-Fi and computers to steal valuable information, which can be used to hack your accounts. Ensure you keep your Wi-Fi network password-protected to avoid connecting to unsecured networks. You can also use trusted VPN software in protecting your network connections.
Conclusion
While the internet has provided many highly needed solutions and opportunities in today’s world, we must not be oblivious of the threats posed by cybercriminals. A single cyberattack could result in irreparable damages such as huge money loss or loss of business. Thus, it is essential to take note of the methods discussed above as you navigate through the vast internet world.
