Some things are self-evident: the Internet έχει φέρει επανάσταση στη ζωή μας, αλλάζοντας τον τρόπο με τον οποίο εργαζόμαστε, μαθαίνουμε, διασκεδάζουμε και αλληλοεπιδρούμε. Τα οφέλη του δικτυωμένου κόσμου μας είναι πολλαπλά, αλλά το ίδιο ισχύει και για τους κινδύνους - συμπεριλαμβανομένου του κινδύνου να πέσετε θύμα απάτης.
Fraud has existed, of course, in various forms and extent for many, many years.
However, the Internet has given a new dimension even to old tricks, greatly expanding the opportunities and especially the number of possible targets for fraudsters.
According to André Lameiras from the global digital security company ESET, scams are becoming more and more sophisticated and none of us is immune to the cybercriminals who have proven to be powerful.
The more sites we use to enjoy the benefits of the internet, the more opportunities fraudsters have to explore and exploit, whether it be inheritance scams, fake shopping scams, fake job offers, fraudulent scams and fraudulent scams. , even for romantic dating scams, to name just a few of the most common digital scams you can come across.
But since we know this, why do we continue to bite the bait?
Lameiras from ESET gives us some of the most common reasons why the various tricks and social engineering methods used to extract our money are so effective.
1. Accumulated knowledge pays off
Κατ' αρχάς, πολλά είδη απάτης υπάρχουν εδώ και καιρό, οπότε μιλάμε για συσσωρευμένη γνώση που μεταβιβάζεται στην "επόμενη γενιά" απατεώνων. Συχνά, οι δοκιμασμένες τεχνικές και οι χαρακτήρες κατασκευάζονται σχολαστικά και πολλά μηνύματα ηλεκτρονικού ψαρέματος είναι σχεδιασμένα έτσι ώστε να μην παρατηρήσετε ότι κάτι δεν πάει καλά με την πρώτη ματιά, τουλάχιστον.
2. "Our digital footprints" are used against us
Some scammers will use all available and seemingly harmless data to their advantage, monitoring your every move on the internet, usually on social media, in order to take advantage of your digital footprint. If you are not careful, the more you interact on the internet the more things scammers learn about you and can deceive you more easily.
3. Scammers are good storytellers
Many cybercriminals can create believable stories and characters that often slip away from spam. Likewise, they are quick to take advantage of current events for their own benefit, including exploiting fears surrounding public emergencies.
4. We are in a hurry
Scammers pressure us to act immediately, they don't want us to think things through. Some prize will be valid for a limited time and some bill will need to be paid urgently on the same day, to name just a few examples. So you will be pressured to make a hasty decision without considering it fully picture and verify if the message it is legal. In such cases, remember to pause and think before you decide.
5. Everyone likes a free meal
Taking advantage of our financial difficulties or simply our desire for easy cash, many scammers start by offering fake gifts or including promises of skyrocketing investment returns.
6. We are programmed to obey authority
People tend to trust those in positions of power. Scammers often take on roles such as a government employee, a lawyer, a company executive or a specialist in a particular field. These are all people we have learned to trust. Scammers try to pretend to be reputable and use the names of companies or organizations that you may recognize.
7. It can be a distraction
Scams are becoming more and more common and one can try to deceive you one day when you happen to feel sick, tired or vulnerable. As you deal with more important things, you may pay less attention to detail, opening the door to potential dangers. Scammers can even figure out when you are vulnerable and take advantage of it.
8. Scammers are focused on their goal
And it is a step forward. While you are trying to figure out if a phone number calling you can be legal, they have already set their trap.
9. We like to help
Τα σενάρια που περιλαμβάνουν έκκληση για βοήθεια μάς κάνουν να αισθανθούμε συνδεδεμένοι συναισθηματικά με τον απατεώνα ή με τους ανθρώπους που ο απατεώνας ισχυρίζεται ότι εκπροσωπεί. Για παράδειγμα, μια ιστορία που αφορά προσωπική τραγωδία ή καταστάσεις έκτακτης ανάγκης για το κοινό είναι αποτελεσματική. Ακόμη και αν στο πίσω μέρος του μυαλού μας γνωρίζουμε ότι μπορεί να μην πρόκειται για αληθινό γεγονός, εξακολουθούμε να θέλουμε να βοηθήσουμε "για παν ενδεχόμενο". Οι απατεώνες αντιλαμβάνονται ότι οι άνθρωποι θέλουν να αισθάνονται χρήσιμοι.
10. Scammers are emotionally identical
If you happen to be the victim of a romantic scam, the scammer will usually take the time to gain your trust, making you feel that he understands you and trying to figure out how far he can go.
What to do if you are deceived
According to ESET's André Lameiras here are some things we can do if we fall victim to fraud:
• If it is a social media scam, contact their support center; if it is a store fraud, contact your service provider to report the scam and ask for help.
• If it is money, call your bank and inform it.
• Μην κάνετε καμία πληρωμή για να πάρετε κάποιο "βραβείο" ή “έπαθλο”.
• Αν σας υποσχεθούν μελλοντικά οικονομικά κέρδη στο χρηματιστήριο ή από Bitcoin, μην πληρώσετε εκ των προτέρων τους "φόρους" σας.
• Change all your passwords in case the scammer has your personal information.
• Check your social media privacy settings. Limit who can tag you in photos and comments.
• Report the fraud to the competent authorities. In Europe, for example, you can start by visiting the Cyber First Aid website.
In closing, don't take it for granted that you won't fall victim to fraud. Anyone can fall victim to fraud, no matter how much smart and is familiar with technology.
