The Biggest Internet Scams this Year
Posted: Monday, August 31, 2009
by Tom Swayer
Viruses and spyware
Probably the most widely known scam and the type that has been around the longest are viruses and spyware. We are certainly more cautious than we used to be however viruses still find themselves everywhere and as technology advances it is becoming more difficult to protect yourself from them. You may be visiting a website which has been infected with a virus only to go and download a file or watch a video and then be infected yourself.
Phishing and identity theft
There is a huge black market for financial data that is increasing lucrative for criminals. They look to steal your personal data using various techniques which include bogus websites where they attract people in via e-mail spamming. Often you can receive an e-mail claiming to be from your bank which is designed to get your attention and have you click and log your personal information into their website. This is known as Phishing; they will also use telesales, hack into popular websites and more recently have been creative with using social networks to gain information.
Your personal data is very valuable; think before you give it out, basic information such as date of birth should never be disclosed unless absolutely necessary. If websites insist, use a fake date of birth.
Economy related scams
Many of us have money worries due to the current economic climate and are therefore more vulnerable and looking for solutions. Fraudsters will use this situation to come up with new scams to look to rob us of our money and personal information. The newest scams include unemployment insurance, debt consolidation and assistance with repossessions.
It is easy to get drawn into a scam especially when it seems like the perfect solution to your problems however always think it through. If you have found what you think is a great offer then take the time to research the company and discuss it with others before going ahead. Use the internet, chat forums to see if anyone else has heard of the company in question or has had issues.
Protect your business from the latest scams by attending a Marcus Evans scam conference.
This Article has been viewed 169 times. (Not updated in real-time.)
Top-level comments on this article: (1 total)We have had to change our credit card number twice in less than 12 months and e-mail addresses too because of problems like you mentioned above. Good article to give reader's a head's up! MarijoThanks, sorry to hear you've been affected twice!. Hopefully this article will be read by many!.
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