If you use a mobile device to perform your day-to-day
activities on the Internet, then you might be susceptible to Internet fraud,
especially if you regularly use social apps like Facebook, Twitter and
Instagram. Many cyber security specialists in a lot of countries claim in a
recent report that more than 50% of the total mobile user population of the
world would most likely fall for online scams and malicious programs at one
time or another by the end of 2018.
A significant spike in the proliferation of various types of
Internet fraud across popular social networks is also indicated by the latest
online scam complaints and Web crime reports that were published in Big
Scammers this month. Money scams like check cashing fraud and bogus money
flipping schemes continue to victimize a lot of users in the USA.
Social chat applications like WhatsApp and Skype among others
are also being used to perpetuate Internet fraud. Fake offers with enticing
claims are used to trick users into performing a certain set of activities in a
variety of Web pages, which the author of the scam benefits from because of
affiliate commissions and the like. Other schemes fool users into unknowingly
downloading malicious code that can track their online behavior and steal the
confidential data that's stored in their infected devices.
Email has long been used to commit Internet fraud. Phishing
is a variant of spam, and this has also been used through more popular
communication channels like instant messaging, private social network messaging
and the like. RSA FraudAction claims that there were more than 120 new phishing
attacks that were launched last year every hour on average, and American users
were the target recipients of no less than 48% of all the phishing messages
that were sent out in 2016. Phishing is where unsuspecting users are deceived
into handing over their personal details and confidential credentials through
fake urgency claims and scare tactics.
With all these different types of Internet fraud, you need a
standard set of preventive measures. Here are some of the most basic yet very
effective ways on how you can protect yourself against these online scams and
Web crimes:
Basic Tips to Avoid Internet Fraud
This Year
1. Enable the anti-phishing and spam filtering options
of your device. These are often found in email client programs, chat
applications, Web browsers and so on. If your operating system and apps don't
have these features, then look for reputable software development groups that
offer effective online security tools. Install these in your device, configure
it properly by following the quick and easy guides of its developers, and
you're on your way to blocking malicious code, phishing attacks and spam - By
doing this, you can prevent or at least minimize the chances of being
victimized by Internet fraud this 2017.
2. Verify the authenticity of any message, claim or
offer that you see on the Web, or even offline. Remember, emails can easily be
spoofed, websites can be cloned and accounts can be compromised. Spend some time
confirming the identity of the people or groups that are behind these offers
and promos. Don't do anything with the links in a message or an online form in
a website until you're sure that you're safe from Internet fraud.
3. Sign up at sites like BigScammers.Com that offer a
publicly accessible repository of user-generated content. By doing this, you
can learn about the newest tactics and schemes that are currently being used to
commit some of the most prevalent types of Internet fraud this year. Online communities
like Big Scammers automatically sent out instant notifications and real time
alerts to subscribed users whenever another user posts or updates a scam
complaint or a Web crime report in this website.
By remembering these tips during your regular activities on
the Web, you'll be able to minimize your chances of being victimized by
Internet fraud. Also check out the repository of BigScammers.Com for other
helpful guides and resources that can help you learn how to quickly recognize
potential scams, safely steer clear from Web crimes, and implement control
measures after being falling for online fraud.
