Scams run rampant in today’s digital landscape. And while netizens fear scammers are out to get them, they do little to actually defend themselves.
According to the Bitdefender 2024 Consumer Cybersecurity Assessment Report, one in four consumers faced a security event in the past year, with most respondents saying the threat came in the form of a text message. And the trend keeps ballooning. Just this year we’ve reported on an abundance of incidentssuch as:
As we note in the survey report, our behaviours toward cybersecurity don’t always match our stated fears and concerns. Bad actors increasingly exploit complacency around cybersecurity, threatening our security and privacy online.
With scammers exploiting every possible avenue, it’s increasingly important to exercise good cybersecurity hygiene. Here are seven rules-of-thumb that act as the Rosetta Stone of consumer cybersecurity:
Weak passwords are among scammers’ easiest routes to your personal information. As our surveyreveals, password management remains a consumer weak point, with 37% of netizens writing down their passwords, 18.7% using the same password for three or more accounts, and 15.8% using the same password for at least two accounts.
Using strong, unique passwords for each of your accounts significantly reduces this risk. There are several ways you can deadbolt your password management:
It’s imperative today to enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on every account that offers it. 2FA adds an extra layer of security by requiring not only your password but also a second form of verification, like a code sent to your phone or email.
According to the 2024 Bitdefender Consumer Cybersecurity Assessment Report,people today have on average of between three and five online accounts (35%), though a sizeable proportion (31%) have six or more. However, respondents likely forgot to include accounts they created on a whim – to enjoy a quick service or for a one-off purchase. It’s important for e-citizens to consider this at a time when data breaches have become a daily occurrence – especially if they give in to the convenience of using a single password for multiple accounts. So remember:
Scammers notoriously employ socially engineered ruses like phishing emails, fake phone calls, and fraudulent text messages to trick you into giving away personal information or downloading malware. Use these simple tips to stay on the safe side:
The more information you share online, the easier it is for scammers to dox you and target you. Reducing your digital footprint makes it much harder for threat actors to gather information about you and identify weak points in your daily digital commute.
Public Wi-Fi networks are often not very secure and can be booby-trapped by scammers to intercept your data.
Staying informed about the latest cyber threats and security incidents helps you understand the evolving tactics scammers use and how to protect yourself.
Scams today are so common and well executed that even a trained eye can fall victim. A dedicated security solution provides comprehensive protection against a wide range of cyber threats, from malware to phishing attacks, especially when you’re distracted.
Scams being as prevalent as they are, we offer Scamio as a handy sidekick to combat cyberattacks targeting consumers by socially engineered vectors.
If you're suspicious about a certain phone call, email or SMS, Scamio provides a fast and efficient way to find out if you’re being conned. Simply describe the situation to our clever chatbot and let it guide you to safety. You can share with Scamio the exact thing you want to check: a screenshot, PDF, QR code or link. Scamio lets you know in seconds if it’s a scam. Use it anywhere via web browser, Facebook Messenger, or WhatsApp. Scamio is localized for use in the USA, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Romania, Australia and the UK.
By following these seven easy tricks, you can significantly reduce your risk of falling victim to scams. While each individual step adds an important layer of protection, we recommend that you exercise these practices together in parallel, making it much harder for scammers to get you.
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Filip has 15 years of experience in technology journalism. In recent years, he has turned his focus to cybersecurity in his role as Information Security Analyst at Bitdefender.
View all postsNovember 14, 2024
September 06, 2024