Internet and online security - 47
Don't be fooled if someone calls your phone
A tech support scam is a form of online fraud where people call
you on the phone saying they're Technical Support from a trusted
company like Norton or Microsoft and that you have a virus. The
main motive behind these scams is to extort money from the
victim. Cybercriminals can also install malware such as keylogging
software or backdoor Trojans in order to gain access to personal
information.
How to stay safe:
Don't fall for phone calls that tell you your
software or computer isn't working. Never give your personal
information like social security or credit card numbers to
someone that you don't know over the phone.
Common threats cybercriminals use
Now you know a few very common ways cybercriminals try to
sneak onto your device or trick you into providing private
information to them directly. Here are a few of the types of
malware they like to deploy once they've got into a device and
what to do if you're ever infected.
Ransomware
A form of malware that will encrypt personal data files on your
computer and attached devices. Encryption converts files into
another format, that can only be opened with a specific
decryption key. Once the ransomware installs itself, it will display
a warning message that the computer is now locked. The user is
given a specific amount of money to pay as a "fine" and a
timeframe in which to pay. Even if paid, the criminal might choose
to not unencrypt the files anyway!
What to do if you're infected:
Avoid getting infected in the first
place by staying protected with internet security software like
Norton Security. Also, perform regular backups of all your data
either online or to a separate external hard drive that is
only
attached
to your computer while performing the backup.
Ransomware has been known to lock access to external hard
drives attached to the computer.
