In recent years we have observed and in many cases observed “the hard way” (suffering it ourselves) that cybercrime is on the rise. And even if you have never bitten, you have surely received a fraudulent SMS, email or call on more than one occasion that has tried to take over your personal and banking information.
Without a doubt, one of the favorite methods of cybercriminals is to impersonate people, brands, companies, organizations and even government and official institutions. This is because they have found a huge fortune with them because by creating simple templates with an official logo and little more effort they manage to empty entire bank accounts.
We see it constantly with scams that impersonate the DGT, the Tax Agency or even Netflix, and that is why from elEconomista.es we have contacted the sector expert Carlos Santa Cruz, Director of Technology at Lynx, to know how we can avoid these scams, know how to detect them and what we have to take into account for the future.
How can I identify a fraudulent email, text message or phone call? What warning signs should I look for?
First of all, Grammatical or formatting errors are usually a red flagsince official messages are usually well written, without spelling or punctuation errors, and have a professional design. Another indication is unusual URLs or senders, before clicking, it is convenient verify domainexplains Santa Cruz.
Also, the urgent or threatening requests They are another common tactic, designed to provoke panic and make us make quick decisions without thinking. Finally, requesting confidential data is a clear indication of fraudas legitimate institutions will never ask for passwords, card details or identification numbers via email or message.
How do cybercriminals manage to sneak into official communications? And why isn’t that the fault of the companies or institutions they supplant?
Cybercriminals manage to infiltrate official communications taking advantage of communication failures and user ignorance. They use social engineering methods to impersonate or manipulate people in order to extract information from them.
In fact, we believe that Organizations need to find the right tools to protect their users. Although companies are constantly improving their security measures, user education is essential. Scams are constantly evolving and we need tools that evolve and learn at the same speed.
Are there any online tools or resources that can help me verify the authenticity of an email, website, or message?
Yes, there are specific tools and strategies that can help people verify the authenticity of communications and protect against fraud. For example, tools like Who.is They can provide log information about websites, while at Lynx, our AI tools evaluate patterns and contexts that help verify the authenticity of transactions, and these same principles can be applied in communications analysis.
How can I protect my personal information on social networks and the Internet in general to prevent it from being used to impersonate my identity?
Social networks have become dangerous spaces, especially for younger people, who often They underestimate the risk and end up sharing sensitive information without realizing it of the possible consequences. To protect our identity, it is crucial configure privacy options so that only trusted people have access to our publications and personal data.
Furthermore, it is important Be careful with friend requests or messages from strangers who seek to establish romantic relationships, what is known as “romance scams.”
How can I protect my financial information and prevent identity theft?
To protect our financial information, it is essential adopt strong security measures and cultivate good digital habits. Using strong, unique passwords for each account, enabling two-step authentication when available, and keeping devices secure through regular updates and the use of antivirus are essential practices.
Effective strategies include not only using unique passwords, but also having Caution with any unusual requests related to personal information and regularly review account statements for unauthorized transactions.
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