Traps to avoid online – Digital Economy Blog

2024-02-14 09:30:02

Like every year, on February 14, lovers around the world celebrate love. But this day is not only a carnival for lovers, it is also one of the favorite holidays of cybercriminals. Identity theft, purchasing traps, scams on dating sites, digital technology are their accomplices. Before you click “Buy Now,” it’s essential to know the potential pitfalls to avoid when shopping online for that special occasion.

Prey to hackers

Anyone can fall prey to hackers. It’s no surprise that cybercriminals use parties or celebrations for their own activities. On Valentine’s Day in particular, the large number of online purchases and the increase in AI provide a great opportunity for them to do so. Hackers take advantage of this unique opportunity to hide in the mass of advertisements. These days, Valentine’s Day isn’t just for couples. It’s not uncommon for good friends to exchange gifts on Valentine’s Day. Hackers not only target lovers, they also defraud single people by taking advantage of their desire to find a partner.

Various attacks

Phishing attacks are one of the most common forms of fraud. Scammers use product promotions in the form of emails or text messages to target unsuspecting buyers and trick them into clicking on a link. Fake package scams work on the same principle: you receive a message about a tracked package to encourage you to click on it. Criminals also often create fake user profiles containing false romantic information to target single people and trick them into transferring money to them. Every year we see more and more fake sites online offering fake gift lists, even with detailed product information to confuse you. This scam is particularly lucrative. Additionally, the rise of e-commerce today has contributed to a growing trend of people shopping online, making these users even more likely to be targeted by cyberattacks. The good news is that consumers can avoid these attacks.

How to avoid online scams?

Check site security: Many unscrupulous actors create online sites that resemble well-known brands. Although the interface is similar, if you look closely you will see the difference in the domain name, for example “.fr.com” versus “.Fr”. You can also check if the URL starts with “ and if the security padlock symbol appears in your browser’s address bar.
Beware of links and attachments from unknown sources: We recommend that you avoid clicking on links from unknown or untrustworthy sources, especially links or QR codes involving freebies, offers or romantic activities on the occasion of Valentine’s Day. These could be phishing sites or attachments containing malware. To ensure the reliability of the site, avoid clicking directly on promotional links and instead search the search engine for the online store of the brand you are looking for.
Provide personal information with care: When filling out forms or providing personal information online, make sure you are dealing with a safe site. Do not enter personal banking information, credit card information, or other sensitive information on questionable websites.
Update antivirus software: Make sure you have the latest antivirus and antimalware programs installed on your computer, mobile phone and other devices, and update them regularly to ensure maximum protection.
Beware of romance scams: When communicating with strangers online, especially on dating sites or social media, be wary of possible romance scams. Don’t easily believe fake emotional stories from strangers and avoid giving out personal or financial information.

I hope everyone has a happy Valentine’s Day, but don’t fall into the romance trap!

Source :

https://paperjam.lu/article/valentine-mon-amour