Last week cyber news
Don’t let hackers ruin your November shopping!
Dear Clients, November is a celebration of deals – but also a prime time for hackers. Black Friday is just around the corner, and attackers are already preparing with tempting traps. Take a moment to read some important tips that will help you shop securely:
Be aware, SilkSpecter is waiting for you!
A Chinese hacking group named SilkSpecter has set up about 5,000 phishing sites impersonating well-known brands. The fake sites are designed with words like ‘Blackfriday’ in the URL to appear as official deal pages. If you make a purchase on one of these sites, you will not only lose your money –your credit card details will be passed on to the attackers. It’s important to know: these sites may also appear in Google search results or as ads on social media.
Here’s how to protect yourself:
- Be cautious of links in emails or on social media: Received an offer you can’t refuse? Go to the brand’s official website manually. Direct links may lead to malicious sites.
- Check that the site is secure: Before making any payment, make sure the URL starts with ‘https’ and there’s a small lock icon next to it. Without this – don’t enter your details.
- Think twice about ‘dream deals’: Excessive discounts? Rare products at ridiculously low prices? Chances are, someone’s trying to scam you.
- Keep your information to yourself: Sites that ask for irrelevant personal information (like your ID number or full address) are a red flag.
- Use secure payment methods: Consider using a prepaid credit card or services like PayPal, which add an extra layer of protection. That way, if something goes wrong – you’re covered.
- Invest in strong passwords: Yes, it’s tempting to use a password like ‘12345’, but it’s also tempting for hackers. Create a unique password for each site and consider using a password manager.
- Two-factor authentication is a must: Enabling two-factor authentication adds an important layer of protection to every account you open. It’s simple – and it works.
Remember: Attackers also ‘go shopping’ in November. Stay alert and double-check every offer.
