The top scams in the 2013 Holiday Season -
Online threats are part-and-parcel of life on the Web -- but the end
of the year proves to be a lucrative time to give cybercriminals the
gift of your bank details or personal data.
As the holiday season comes in to full swing, more consumers use
online banking and retail sites to complete their Christmas shopping.
However, consumers are often duped by a number of tactics employed by
criminals to profit from a lack of security awareness.
From fake charity campaigns to emailed shipping notifications, the
ways that criminals attempt to steal your data are varied, creative and
widespread. It's not easy to remain vigilant all of the time, but for
some tips and advice on what to look out for, check out this gallery of
the top ten scams this holiday season.
1. Mobile apps lacking Christmas cheer:
Due to the explosion in popularity for mobile devices,
cybercriminals are now the creators of legitimate-looking apps that
feature holiday shopping deals, celebrity endorsements and
time-sensitive offers. However, these often-free applications, once
downloaded to your smartphone or tablet, may steal or modify your data.
Malicious apps may intercept your communication, steal your banking
data, and may forward you to premium services. In addition, an app may
bypass authentication systems by asking for a code to be sent to your
mobile device.
How to stay safe: Review applications before downloading. In particular, check out its star rating, and what others have said about the software.
See also:
2. Holiday Mobile SMS Scams:
When you choose to download apps or files from the web,
FakeInstaller tricks Android users into thinking the download process is
legitimate -- and may send SMS messages from your mobile to premium
rate numbers without your consent.
How to stay safe: Double check the legitimacy of files and apps you are downloading.
See also:
Image credit: CNET
3. The hottest gifts this season in scams:
As belts tighten, many of us look for holiday gift and travel
deals online. However, malicious links to fake websites, phishing scams
and phoney contests on social media can all be gateways for
cybercriminals to gain access to your personal data or download malware
on to your devices.
Not only this, but you run the risk of being hoodwinked into
purchasing cheap products that you believe to be designer, only to find
that amazing "deals" are for counterfeit products.
How to stay safe: Purchasing from official retailers lessens the risk of being duped, and try to verify low prices that look too good to be true.
See also:
4. Seasonal Travel Scams:
Emailed and social media travel deal links and notifications --
whether through shared content, competitions or paid-for advertising can
all be used to trick users into submitting their personal data. In
addition, if PCs become infected with spyware or malware when visiting a
malicious site, scammers can install keyloggers or convince you to
complete a fake purchase.
This isn't just it; while we all would love to brag we visited the
Alps for $200, criminals that seize your money for a fake travel package
is a common way that consumers can lose out.
How to stay safe: If something looks too good to be true, it
probably is -- and you can save yourself heartache by following a few
simple rules. If a website offer looks too good, then conduct a quick
review on Google, such as "
thiswebsite.com reviews" to find out
if the service is legitimate, and don't forget to regularly perform
anti-virus sweeps. This, in turn, can also help you find out if the firm
-- while real -- is a poor choice to spend your hard-earned cash with.
If you accidentally click on phishing emails or conduct dubious
online purchases, two-step verification purposes may help you if you
accidentally give away your details -- rather than find your account
cleaned out later.
5. E-Seasons Greetings? Not quite:
Merry Christmas, here's your malware. Postcards and snail mail
seasons greetings are giving way to e-cards as a way to wish your
friends and family a Merry Christmas -- and so naturally, malicious apps
and software are in on the consumer trend. Legitimate looking e-cards
may cause unsuspecting users to download viruses after clicking a link
or attachment in an email.
How to stay safe: Check gift cards that you receive for
suspicious misspellings in your name, the company's, or in the subject
title. If you're concerned, it's best to simply click the delete button. One company you can trust is
Jacquie Lawson E-cards as she gives one a way to get their card without clicking on a link, just follow the simple instructions.
Image credit: Blue Mountain
6. Malicious online games -- Be careful of the kids:
A common problem, many malicious apps pretend to be popular games on smartphones and tablets. From
Angry Birds to
Grand Theft Auto,
malicious apps can be found within the Android and iOS ecosystem -- so
if you hand over your device to amuse children, be aware of the games'
sources. Malware, in-app purchases and social media pages embedded in
the apps can all threaten your device's security -- and any accounts
linked to it.
How to stay safe: Talk to your children about how to spot
and avoid potential scams, and only allow them to download apps under
your supervision -- where you can check the rating and comments left
about an application. Buying and downloading games from reputable
sources will also help.
See also:
Image credit: Angry Birds
7. Waiting for gifts to arrive? Don't be fooled:
Fake shipping notifications can pretend to give you updates on
product deliveries, but in reality, can be scams that carry malware and
software designed to infect your PC and devices. Some may ask you to
click on links and input bank or address details.
How to stay safe: If it looks suspicious, contact your bank
directly via phone, secure website, or in-person, and never input any
bank-based details. In addition, checking the domain name on shipping
emails is usually a sure-fire way to check legitimacy.
Image credit: Panda Security
8. Gift cards that are not always what they seem:
Gift cards are an easy option in the holiday season, but
deceptive social media ads touting exclusive packages and deals can lead
to fake purchases.
How to stay safe: Check the domain name and reputation of a seller before making any purchases.
Image credit: ThreatTrack Security Labs
9. Giving to charity, or a criminal's pocket?
Donating to charities is common this time of year, but
cybercriminals capitalize on this -- and fake charity events and
websites put donations straight into their pockets.
Emails and advertising campaigns may include the real charity's logo,
details including the address, well-written pitches and links to donate
online -- but don't be fooled.
How to stay safe: Do background research on the charity
you’d like to donate to, and do not give out personal information if you
have the slightest suspicion things are not what they seem. Be aware
that these scams often surface in the wake of disaster -- such as the
recent typhoon in the Philippines -- and don't give in to guilt-laden
pleas, images of disaster, or "suggested donations." Even better, decide
in advance which charities you want to give to and contact them
directly, rather than risk a potentially fake donation on a whim.
10. Are you the one?
Romance scams are a constant threat to online users. Whether
short or long term, users of dating sites are conned out of their
hard-earned cash every day -- paying for an online person to deal with
an emergency, or paying for them to visit. However, messages sent from a
potential "love interest" can also include phishing scams, where the
person accesses your personal information such as usernames, passwords,
and credit card details.
How to stay safe: Log on to trustworthy dating sites, and no
matter how nice the person seems to be, be extremely careful about
giving out personal information -- and never give any money away.
See also: Essential apps for long-distance relationships
Image credit: Little Riot
Courtesy of ZDNet.
