Illustration: Towfiqu barbhuiya on Unsplash.com
Congratulations! You won the lottery with a cash prize of 100 million!
Have you ever received this kind of message? Maybe you have. However, don’t immediately believe in the sweet promise. Behind the promised fun lies a threat that we need to be aware of, namely phishing.
What is Phishing?
Phishing is a form of cyber attack that is rampant in today’s digital era. With a cunning modus operandi, cyber criminals attempt to deceive internet users by tricking them into revealing personal information, such as passwords, credit card numbers, or other financial data. They often pose as official institutions or trusted organizations to steal sensitive information from victims.
How Does Phishing Operate?
Phishing attacks usually begin with a message or email offering something too good to be true, such as a large cash prize or an exclusive offer. The message will direct the victim to take a specific action, such as clicking on a link or downloading an attachment.
Once these actions are taken, the victim may be redirected to a fake website designed to resemble the real thing. Many victims are unaware and end up providing their personal information.
Tips to Protect Yourself from Phishing
1. Beware of Suspicious Messages
Don’t trust emails that ask for personal or financial information. Check the sender’s email address and make sure it comes from a trusted source. Generally, attackers will use an email address that resembles the official email address of the institution being impersonated.
2. Avoid Clicking on Suspicious Links
Do not click on links in emails or text messages that you are not expecting or look suspicious. Attackers often provide links that lead to fake sites that resemble the original site to steal your information.
3. Verify Website Identity
Make sure you are on a legitimate and secure website before entering sensitive information. Check the URL to ensure it uses the “https://” protocol, not “http://”. HTTPS indicates that the connection between your device and the website is encrypted, making it more difficult for attackers to steal information.
4. Check the Website Domain Carefully
In addition to a similar appearance, attackers also create clone sites with domains that resemble the original site. For example, the original site’s domain is instagram.com and the attacker created a clone site with the domain intagram.com.
5. Update Software and Antivirus
Keep your security and antivirus software up-to-date to reduce the risk of phishing attacks and other cyber attacks.
6. Educate Yourself and Your Loved Ones
Always increase your knowledge of the latest phishing tactics and share that knowledge with friends, family, and loved ones.
Always remember not to give out your personal or financial information to suspicious parties. Be wary of messages or emails that are too good to be true.
Let’s work together to keep our personal data safe in the ever-evolving digital world. By staying vigilant and following the tips above, we can protect ourselves and the online community from the dangers of phishing.
Remember, data security is a shared responsibility. Let’s work together to keep our personal data safe and stay vigilant in the digital world.
Article compiled from several sources (KJ/AW/KJ)