“You won’t believe it,” one child said to a friend, “I just bought online four sneaker models running at a third of the price, super cheap! “You won’t believe it,” he replies, “last year I did something very similar on sale and it turned out to be a scam, a cloned page. I didn’t tell you anything, I was ashamed.” This impulsive purchase is a loophole that scammers take advantage of, even if common sense tells us that no brand would be serious. band hence the prices. Too good to be true?
This scene is repeated daily in Spain, like this WhatsApp that a mother receives from her son – spoofed – asking him “Money, now, I have an emergency! I’ll tell you later…”. They repeat and increase. According to the Spanish consultancy Stratesys, during the first half of the year, scams online and of phishing — pretending to be a company to obtain, for example, bank details — increased by 40%. In campaigns like Black Friday or sales, the risk for consumers and businesses increases, a trend confirmed by the National Institute of Cybersecurity (INCIBE). The “bad guys” also carry out their campaigns to capture customers.
But you are not helpless. Follow some basic tips personal self-defense minimizes the risk of gaining weight, like these two friends, the statistics. Here are some that the Ibercaja financial education program offers you in collaboration with Funcas.
Above all: prevention
Fraud attempts are becoming more and more sophisticated, but it is possible to complicate the task of cybercriminals by becoming aware, by informing yourself about the various risks and by not being lazy to raise a complaint. shield security. This time dedicated to prevention is a small investment that can save you from future disappointments. This concerns us all, users unfamiliar with technology or who do not perceive the risk, but also people with knowledge who let their guard down or businessmen overwhelmed with work who prioritize urgency. You can easily learn the basics and turn to experts for advice and sleep much more peacefully.
Download only trusted apps
There are mobile phones that look like a store full of apps. Not only do they consume memory, but they can also serve as a disguise for spyware or a secret subscription. The solution: Only download from official stores such as Google Play and App Store, as they verify that they are clean and clearly display installation permissions. Other reliability indices are user ratings and number of downloads.
Better not to connect to Wi-Fi networks public
In principle, there is no problem visiting a website, reading news, etc. But it is better not to make banking transactions or electronic purchases. online on open Wi-Fi networks, because it’s not clear who is behind many of them. Just like you don’t open the door to your house to just anyone, you also don’t open the door to your passwords or banking details. You spend your whole life on your cell phone, you need to protect it as your personal security. To begin with, it is best to disable the option to automatically connect to public networks.
Keep devices up to date and with antivirus
A mobile phone, tablet, or computer with app and operating system updates has security patches for the latest types of cyberattacks, like those pesky spy programs. Simply enable automatic updates in Settings. A good antivirus, installed from an official site or by a trusted professional, is as basic as a lock. It can detect malware, dangerous networks or block dangerous links in emails and messages. There are some with an additional layer to protect, specifically, passwords and banking details.
Only browse websites with references
Cybercriminals are experts at designing e-commerce pages that appear trustworthy and cajole you with offers that are impossible to refuse. This is why you should always use known offers. Sometimes, a simple consultation of the notes on these fake pages is enough to unmask the trap.
Be wary of links that ask for personal information
Another classic scam: an email or WhatsApp that looks like an offer from a well-known brand or urgent work and invites you to click on the link without thinking twice. As a precaution, you should never do this. And much less if it asks for information as private as your account number.
Configure security and privacy options
If you don’t know how to do this, you can ask someone you trust for help until you understand. This is to block unauthorized access or protect your data, especially when you make a transaction or purchase. Although banks have very secure authentication systems, these configuration options are very useful. In addition to installing antivirus and VPN (encrypted network access), you need to enable device encryption and screen lock. You have several options: classic PIN, pattern, password, fingerprint or facial recognition. If you want to turn your mobile phone into a tank, INCIBE recommends additional applications such as anti-theft and identity authentication systems, blocking applications containing sensitive data and security status analysis. Be careful, verification codes, double authentication, biometric locks or limited third-party access are also necessary tools if you use WhatsApp or shop online and do banking from your mobile.
Use strong passwords, change them and don’t share them
Yes, it seems like a disaster, and it’s common to give in to the temptation to have an easy to remember one for almost everything. But it’s advisable to have one for each store or service you use. There is no need to use a piece of paper to write them down, for this you have a password manager with a master key to access all the others. Double authentication systems that send you a code or use your fingerprint or face to verify you are also essential here. In any case, a strong password is long, combining uppercase, lowercase, numbers and special characters. Nothing about your birthday or your tuition fees!
Why distribute data on networks?
What is the need of others to know what and where you buy, what car you own or if you went on a trip. The less eavesdroppers, or real criminals, know about you, the less likely they will be to impersonate you to deceive you. If you want to share this private sphere, it is better to do so with a restricted group of contacts.
This is information from Ibercaja’s financial education program in collaboration with Funcas. Financial literacy for all.
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