As the festive season gets into full swing so do the Cyber-criminals who seek to cash in of the popularity of any popular topic or occasion.
The first place you can may see signs of cyber-criminals handy work is your email inbox. AVG labs says that 500 million e-cards will be sent this Christmas…and according to new research 74 percent of recipients would open them if the sender appeared to be from someone they knew.
The potential fallout from opening an e-card with a malicious attachment could leave you with a damaged or compromised PC which means lost data, stolen personal information or a computer converted to become part of a spam network.
Using e-cards safely
1) Don’t open attachments: Most legitimate e-cards are links to the company’s website that allow you to go directly to your card. Avoid attachments and don’t download anything from a source you don’t recognise.
2) When in doubt, delete: If something looks a little strange or ‘phishy’, such as the name of the sender or vague subject lines, just delete the card. It’s better to do that than run the risk of getting a virus or some other form of malware.
3) Know where you’re going online: Use security software that detects and blocks web sites that push online scams, adware installations, attachments filled with viruses and other malicious downloads that could harm your system.
4) Know what to look for: While most e-card scams actually look legitimate, there are usually some tell-tale signs to look for. Watch out for misspelled words or names, not knowing who sent you the card, a disguised name (such as Your Friend, A Secret Admirer, etc.), and a strange web site address.
5) Always read fine print before accepting any terms: Make sure you actually read the fine print before agreeing to anything. Some e-card scams list in their terms that they can send email to everyone in your address book. Make sure you know what you are agreeing to.
Get more information on the AVG Australia website.
