How knowledge about what is internet fraud would protect an internet user:
The advances in digital technology and
mechanisms to protect the conduct of business have been matched by the prowess
of white collar criminals who have harnessed technology to be able to ply their
trade of cheating people of their money. By implementing measures, and
identifying a fraud when an individual comes across one, it is quite possible
to possibly eliminate chances of being defrauded. This is an effort to educate
readers about prevailing and possible variants of methods used by criminals to
cheat internet users and to arm them with knowledge on what is internet fraud.
Phishing - This is one term that is heard
often in terms of internet security, but very little is done in terms of
actually following the suggestions to prevent becoming a victim of phishing.
This could be because of the variations employed or in difference to know more about what is internet fraud. But it is of paramount importance to understand
that one needs to understand the concept and deduce if a particular mail or pop
up could be an attempt at phishing. The methods of phishing are basically the
same. It is only in the mode of delivery that the variant lies. For example, a
person may get an unsolicited mail, offering him a free credit card with a high
credit limit. The person would be asked to click on a link. Clicking on the
link is like extending an invitation to a thief, because of lack of knowledge
on what is internet fraud. Clicking on the link would result in malware being
installed in the system and unearthing information that would be useful for
criminals to either take over your system or conduct an unauthorized
transaction. The basic premise is the same. Inducing the user to click,
download or visit a particular site. The user needs to know this and be wary of
suspicious attachments, or links to sites that are mailed from unknown sources,
sometimes masquerading as a legitimate or official site.
Targeted inducement to make long distance
calls – Users who visit sites with explicit content often use their mobile
devices to do so, unaware of what is internet fraud and how they could turn
victim. After their browsing history is tracked, these users receive missed
calls on their mobile phones. Curious users may sometimes return the call and
listen to sounds, or roleplay conversation that is related to explicit content.
This may get the user interested and he may continue with the call or try to
start a conversation. These numbers are automated voice response systems
transmitted on special numbers – meaning the called number receives a
percentage of the total cost of the call. Usually operating from the erstwhile
Soviet Republics or East European nations or a few African nations, these calls
are among the most highly priced long distance calls. The user ends up spending
a lot of money on such useless calls. To make smartphone use safer, many
applications are available to inform and protect the user, such as call
identification apps. The user need only install and activate such apps to
understand that the missed call is another attempt at cheating, albeit in a
small way. Knowing what is internet fraud and its different types will help
increase alertness.
