Social Media Free Giveaway Scams Come With Hefty Costs

That $1,000 Amazon gift card you were promised for filling out a survey was never intended to be paid but is in fact a giveaway scam you just fell for. You may think there’s no real harm in filling out a bogus survey, but the real thing about these scams is that it’s stealing your PII (personally identifiable information). The enduring and timeless nature of scam giveaways show that, people don’t change much when it comes to getting something for nothing. READ FULL STORY

Click the Box to Prove You're Human to Hackers

We've all done it countless times. It's so routine that we don't think about it much. Click the "I'm not a robot" box, solve a simple puzzle, and move on. But cybercriminals are now taking advantage of that routine by creating fake CAPTCHA pages that trick users into infecting their own computers. Instead of proving you're human, victims unknowingly install malware capable of stealing passwords, banking information, cryptocurrency wallets, and other sensitive data. The scam is spreading quickly because it looks so familiar. Knowing what to watch for could be the difference between safely browsing the web and handing criminals the keys to your digital life. READ FULL STORY

The Quick and Dirty on QR Codes

QR codes, those little square mazes, are everywhere nowadays. From accessing restaurant menus to entering sweepstakes and registering new products, they’ve become a staple in modern convenience. However, like any technology, cybercriminals have found ways to exploit these codes, turning them into digital traps. There are many ways these boxes of squiggles can be misused, including via phishing, in advertisements, and overlaid on real ones. READ FULL STORY

The 10 Most Common 4-Digit PINs: Is Yours One of Them?

By now, it’s common knowledge that anything to do with your online security that’s easy-to-guess presents personal security risks. One of those risks involves using a 4-digit PIN code for your smartphone, additional devices, ATM accounts, and payment cards. Commonly used PINs make it easy for you to remember but they also make it easy for hackers to guess. Below are 10 of the most common 4-digit PIN codes cybercriminals try first, so take a look and see if yours is on the list. READ FULL STORY

Verification CAPTCHA Spreads Malware to Windows Users

That familiar CAPTCHA challenge we’re asked to do proving we’re not robots is getting some Windows users in trouble. Hackers are using their own bogus CAPTCHA pages to sneak malware onto Windows devices. It looks like this is one-time that Windows users may pay the price for not being a robot. The good news is, whether you’re clicking a box, choosing frames where an item is showing, or typing-in random letters, there’s a way to tell when you’re being targeted. READ FULL STORY

Quick Social Engineering Refresher

Let's dive into the world of social engineering and its impact on our lives, shall we? Brace yourself for a friendly reminder about this sneaky psychological manipulation technique that can really mess with your day. Picture this: someone cleverly exploits your mind to get you to do their bidding or spill sensitive information. It could never happen to you, right? Well, think again. Sometimes they sneak up on you and don't even know what's going on until it's too late. READ FULL STORY

Is a Criminal Adding Your Card to a Mobile Wallet?

Mobile wallets such as Apple Pay and Google Pay offer a convenient and generally secure way to make purchases. Unfortunately, criminals have found a way to abuse the process used to add payment cards to these services. In this scam, a criminal adds someone else’s debit or credit card to a mobile wallet on a device the criminal controls. Once the card is approved, the criminal can use the phone to make purchases, even though the physical card is still safely in the owner’s possession. READ FULL STORY

Apple’s Spyware Warning-Should You Panic?

Apple’s mercenary spyware warnings have been making headlines, and understandably, that can sound like a digital five-alarm fire. The good news is that most people will never be targeted by this type of attack. These warnings are generally aimed at a small group of individuals who may be targeted because of their work, access to sensitive information, or public profile. But if Apple does warn you, don’t brush it off. Learn how to tell a real Apple notification from a phishing scam, what steps to take, and how to strengthen your iPhone’s defenses before trouble comes knocking. READ FULL STORY

Fidelity Customers Reminded That Stolen Data May Be Used Well Into the Future

If you have a retirement account, brokerage account, or other investment with Fidelity Investments, now is a good time to check your mailbox and email. A proposed class action settlement stemming from a 2024 data breach could provide eligible customers with reimbursement for documented losses, identity theft protection, and a cash payment. While the deadline to file a claim is approaching, many people may not even realize they qualify. Here's what happened, who may be eligible, and what you should do if you received a notification from Fidelity. READ FULL STORY

Oops I Clicked, Now What?

At some point in your life, you may have clicked something you shouldn’t have. Maybe the email looked legitimate. Maybe you were rushing between meetings. Maybe it appeared to come from someone you trust. The truth is that mistakes happen. What determines the impact, however, is not the click itself. It is the actions you take within the first ten minutes afterward. While you’re likely to go into panic mode, you shouldn’t. The most important thing you can do is stay calm. Panic leads to poor decisions and as we’ve learned before, that’s exactly what cybercriminals want you to do READ FULL STORY

A Scammer Can Wreak Havoc With Your Online Banking Account Number

Most people know to protect their Social Security number, debit card PIN, or online banking password. But many don’t realize that something far more ordinary—your bank account number—can also be a goldmine for scammers. It may not seem sensitive at first glance (after all, it’s printed on every check), but in the wrong hands, it can lead to serious financial trouble. While banks often catch suspicious activity, scammers know that many people don’t check their accounts daily, giving them time to slip transactions through. READ FULL STORY

A Check on P2P Scams

There are so many payment apps out there; PayPal, Venmo, and Zelle, for instance and perhaps you’ve probably wondered: Are these apps actually safe? The short answer—yes, if you’re careful. While most P2P apps use encryption to protect your data, scammers are constantly looking for new ways to trick users into giving up their money. And because these apps are often linked directly to your bank account, one mistake can be very costly. But just knowing how to spot potential scams and fraud can help you use them safely. READ FULL STORY