NARRATOR: In the world of online security,
it's not a matter of if you'll be a victim of a phishing scam,
but when.
And adding an extra ounce of prevention
could make all the difference.
Knowing how to spot an online scam
is a practice you should put into habit and one that could
keep you from unwanted trouble.
Phishing is a form of fraud, where a cyber criminal contacts
you masquerading as a reputable organization
or person intending to do harm through a malicious link
or attachment in an email, social network or online gaming
console message, or other online communication channel.
Here's how it works.
Instead of a rod and reel, a fraudster
tries to hook you by gathering data you make public,
then uses urgent or time sensitive online messages
to bait you into giving up more by clicking a link
or opening a malicious attachment.
If you take the cyber criminal bait,
the damage caused could range from immediate financial loss
to long-term identity theft and credit damage.
While you can't completely keep everything locked up
24 hours a day, seven days a week,
here are four important habits to remember
for avoiding phishing attempts.
Be aware of what you share.
It goes without saying to be careful
what you share online, but in addition
to health care and social and financial sites,
be especially careful sharing data on apps
like mobile wallets, transportation,
and lodging sites.
When it comes to donations, never give to an organization
during an unsolicited phone call or unconfirmed email.
It's hard to authenticate who is really on the other end.
Don't trust.
Don't click.
Clicking on an online link or attachment
you don't recognize that seems out of place is marked urgent
or asks you to go outside of your normal security routines
could allow your personal data to be
hijacked by cyber criminals.
Technology is convenient for everyone.
More and more scams are being introduced
through free public Wi-Fi connections, fake smartphone
apps, smart technology, and even online gaming.
So check your online financial statements regularly.
Whether you're at home or at work,
it's best to maintain a healthy attitude of skepticism
whenever you're asked to provide any kind of account data.
By staying on top of your personal data,
practicing prevention, and being smart
about your communications, you can
help make it harder for fraudsters
to generate unwanted harm.