Today it is very hard to tell the difference in who or what is true or not.
Here are some signs on how to spot the hacker.
- If you get an invoice or email from someone you know, make sure this is something that has truly happened. Did that person do work for you? If not it’s probably a scam.
- Check the email at the top and make sure of the spelling and correct email address.
- Email addresses can look like they are real. It is important to check and see if they are missing @gmail.com or any other legitimate domain name that should be from the correct provider.
- Some websites can fool you into looking like the legitimate site that has part of a person, place, or entity. (i.e., whitehouse.com vs whitehouse.org) Two very different websites or email addresses.
Business email compromise (BEC) Wire transfer or payment
- Be very careful about sending wire transfers or payments to people you do not know.
Domain and Website spoofing
- Websites can redirect you to sites that looks legitimate which will want you to enter your sensitive information.
Deep Fakes and AI-driven attacks
- Artificial Intelligence is now becoming way hackers are tricking people into stealing data from unsuspecting targets. These criminals are using a person’s image or voice to deceive the target. They prey on the elderly and exploit human empathy. They use excuses like “I am going to lose my job if you cannot do this.”
There is what they call the Opportunist.
Unquestionably, when a disaster hits, this brings out the worst in people that are trying to take advantage of good people. Research the group before donating to an organization during any disaster. Even when it looks so real, the website or information they are providing is not.
The better prepared you are the better you can spot the ticks:
- Hiding malware inside website
- Leaking stolen corporate data
- Setting up a fake charity
- Using publicly available information to launch phishing attacks.
The definition for Phishing according to the Federal Trade Commission is as follows:
Phishing is a type of online scam that targets consumers by sending them an e-mail that appears to be from a well-known source – an internet service provider, a bank, or a mortgage company, for example. It asks the consumer to provide personal identifying information. Then a scammer uses the information to open new accounts or invade the consumer’s existing accounts. There are several tips that consumers can follow to avoid phishing scams, such as not responding to e-mails or pop-up messages that ask for personal or financial information.
Make sure you have Virus Protection and Malware Protection. If you have any questions, please contact me at 623-680-1775 or 928-485-1222. You can also fill out our form by clicking here.
