We have written in the past about the importance of making a good use of the internet and protecting your online privacy, especially with the rising cases of cybercrime originating in Russia and the Ukraine. But what does staying safe really mean?  Well, essentially being safe depends a lot on what you click on, and believe us, it gets harder every day to recognize what is ok to click on and what is not.

The times when online scamming was about a Nigerian prince trying to transfer big loads of money out of the country are over. Internet crime and online criminals are more sophisticated and far more advanced in their tactics. Today´s online scammers use good strategies and are more convincing than ever, climbing to the top of the list of fraud. Below are some links to avoid!

Facebook video. Never click on anything that starts with: “You´ll never believe what happened.” If there is something humankind can´t resist is curiosity, and online criminals know it. We all need to know what happened, so we click. What happens then? You´re redirected to another website, where you get a pop up saying you need to share before you get to see the video. So you do, you share. Next, you´ll be driven into filling an online survey (scammers are paid for these survey completions) and even if you don´t fill it out you have contributed to the online traffic of a website that makes a profit from it. The worst case scenario is that you agree to fill out the survey with your name and some personal information, which will go directly to a criminal database to be used against you to steal your money or identity!

The scammers who create these bogus promotions will earn commissions via affiliate marketing schemes each and every time a victim completes an offer or a form. Victims may also be faced with large phone bills for unwanted mobile phone services and, because they have provided name and contact details, they may be inundated with unwanted promotional emails, calls and junk mail. Russian private investigators say when in doubt, do not click on a link no matter what.

Account cancellation emails. Whether it is coming from Netflix, your bank or whatever other company where you might have an account with, don´t click on it! Real and reputable companies will not send you an email asking you to log in or fill out any personal information. This is phishing! It basically means that you will be redirected to a fake site (known as a spoof site, that looks a lot like the original site) and when you try to log in what you are really doing is giving out your login information, or even worse, your personal information. In some cases, you will be asked to update your credit card details. If you do receive a notification that something is wrong with your account, try calling first and make sure what the email says is real.  Also try visiting the true company’s website directly.

eBay had a problem early this year with a security breach, and they had no other option than to ask all their customers via email to reset their passwords. However, the situation was clearly announced in their official website and no links were included in the email that was sent. Instead, the company gave the customers an explanation on what happened and asked them to change the password directly in the official website. That is how a real “problem with your account” email will look like.

Anything with an attached file. So someone in this really cool Facebook page that you follow shared a book you´ve always wanted. Or you received an email claiming you need to download a form (an attached file) to complete an operation, like activating a plane ticket or updating information for tax return purposes. Attached files carry viruses (malware). These will harm your computer, steal all your information or operate illegal stuff from your own computer without you even knowing it.

Clicking on links to open attachments is not only about losing your computer, it can be as serious as someone distributing prohibited pornographic material from your computer without you even noticing it. So never download anything you didn´t ask for, you never know how bad it could be.

Most of the dangerous links you will find online are variations of the 3 above. Maybe instead of Facebook you´ll find it in Google+, or instead of the kitty video you´ll find a supposedly sick baby picture that gets donations for every like or share. Whichever the story is, the main rules are: don´t click on virals, don´t click on emails requesting information, and don´t download anything you didn´t ask for. Cybercriminals are out there to get you, so don´t let them outsmart you.

C. Wright
© 2014 Russia PI™

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