The tips below have been provided by Europol’s European Cybercrime Centre (EC3) as part of the European Cyber Security Month (ECMS) aimed at helping you to stay safe online. The ECMS is an EU awareness campaign that promotes cyber security among citizens and organisations, highlighting simple steps that can be taken to protect their personal, financial and professional data.
The internet can be a dangerous place as Cybercriminals are constantly looking for ways to make money at your expense. You can protect yourself be keeping alert when online and by being aware of the basic steps you can take to stay safe online.
Always be vigilant!
- Check your online accounts regularly.
- Check your bank account regularly and report any suspicious activity to your bank.
- Perform online payments only on secure websites (check the URL bar for the padlock and https) and using secure connections (choose a mobile network instead of public Wi-Fi).
- Your bank will never ask you for sensitive information such as your online account credentials over the phone or email.
- If an offer sounds too good to be true, it’s almost always a scam.
- Keep your personal information safe and secure.
- Be very careful about how much personal information you share on social network sites. Fraudsters can use your information and pictures to create a fake identity or to target you with a scam.
- If you think that you have provided your account details to a scammer, contact your bank immediately.
- Always report any suspected fraud attempt to the police, even if you did not fall victim to the scam
For tips on how to use an ATM (or other terminal) safely see the Cardholder Security Tips on this website.
Quishing
The use of QR (Quick Response) codes is growing and Quishing involves the use of manipulated or fake QR codes by hackers to carry out fraudulent activities, such as stealing personal information and spreading malware. A fake QR code may be sent to you in an email or you may scan what you think is a genuine one (criminals stick fake QR codes over genuine ones in places like restaurants and other service establishments).
Here are five things you can do to avoid the dangers of Quishing:
- Quishing is a form of phishing, so the same rules of caution apply: Once you scan a QR code don’t click on any unfamiliar or shortened links and look for slight spelling changes in familiar names or web addresses.
- Emails: Beware of any sense of urgency and never scan a QR code in an email from a sender that you do not recognise (the sender’s email address may not be the same as that of the organisation the criminal is trying to portray).
- QR Codes in the service environment: When you scan a QR code on your phone, a preview of the URL will pop up. Check it carefully and don’t click on any unfamiliar or shortened links.
- Login portals: If a QR code takes you to a page that asks for login credentials, STOP and do not enter your data. If you feel that there could be a problem with an online account, or with a purchase or a delivery, then always go directly to the genuine website from a secure web browser or call the organisation using a trusted number.
- Malware: To protect against malware from Quishing (or from any other sources), don’t click on suspicious looking links (see the first recommendation above) always keep the antivirus software on your device regularly updated.
SIM Swapping
SIM Swapping is a rising issue – do you know what it means and how it can affect you? For more information watch the video below
