Suddenly, our whole life unfolds online. Never before has the connected world and our ability to communicate, socialize, work and trade online been so critical.
Although the possibility of doing this is incredible, we have to face the harsh reality that where people go, cybercriminals almost always follow.
If there is an opportunity to take advantage of a situation and trick people into revealing personal data or sending money to cheaters, they are bound to.
We have already seen examples of malware related to it coronavirus / COVID-19 and try to exploit the virus by hiding malicious files in documents that claim to be related to the disease, but the opportunities for compromising internet security do not end there.
The highest levels of streaming recorded to date are likely to occur next weekend, as millions who would normally be out in bars and restaurants are forced to stay home.
This will undoubtedly put on streaming services enormous pressure and may cause some slowdown in service delivery, which in turn will lead to the search for alternative means accesss in online content.
However, moving away from the protected portals of our favorite legal streaming services for movies, games and other content will be a game in the hands of digital criminals and will leave the public vulnerable to attack.
As tempting as it is to find alternative sources of content, Kaspersky advises users to be patient and use reliable streaming sources, as well as follow these tips for a secure internet connection:
- Use only trusted sources, ie the services you subscribe to, not random sources, by double-checking the URL or company spelling before downloading. Counterfeit websites may look like real ones, but there will be anomalies that will help you spot the difference.
- Pay attention to the extension of the downloaded file. If you are downloading TV episodes, the file should not have an .exe extension.
- Watch the torrents you use and look for comments on the files you can download. If the comments are not related to the content, you are probably looking for malware.
- Protect devices used for streaming and make sure you apply updates to functional system and applications.
- Do not click on links that promise to show content before its official premiere, and if you have any doubts about the authenticity of the content, contact your entertainment provider, ie if you are not sure that something advertised has actually been available in the area your.
- Use a credit card, if possible, for payments and try to avoid saving card details on the streaming service website. Use a unique, complex password for each of your online accounts.
Online purchases
Not being able or not wanting to leave home right now is sure to create a higher demand for e-shopping services as people seek to buy food, entertainment and other items online.
This, combined with shopping in response to the boredom that social isolation can bring, as well as desirable offers from retailers trying to stay "alive" as the economy suffers, means that cybercriminals will "party." ».
In every period of shopping spree we see an increase in malware and phishing attacks related to markets, as it happens at any time when something is particularly relevant or people are vulnerable, because cybercriminals prefer to seize the opportunity and impress people with offers that "can not miss" and often look too good to be true. And usually it is not.
For this reason, we advise consumers to be extra careful at this time and to remember the following when shopping online and opening emails from online retailers:
- Be careful with offers that look too good to be true - they usually are not.
- Enter the URL in your browser to check the offer on the website, instead of clicking on links in your emails.
- Check for the padlock / HTTPS symbol in the address bar when paying.
- Use a credit card, not a debit card, for extra payment protection.
- Never store your card details on a website.
- Protect devices used for purchases and make sure you apply updates vulnerabilitys.
- Use a unique, complex password for each of your online accounts.
