Computer fraud accounted for 89.6 percent of all cybercrimes reported in 2020, according to the most recent survey conducted by the Statistical System of Crime (SEC). Another report evaluating cybercrime in 2019 was published by the Ministry of the Interior’s office, which found that online fraud offences accounted for 88.1 percent of all offences.
These statistics suggest that Internet fraud is on the rise, so you should take precautions and learn how to spot the various components that can lead to fraud. The emails, URLs, and text messages we get on our devices are usually the source of these crimes. As a result, we’ll go over the most common frauds that we get in our email.
What is the difference between phishing and malware?
Phishing is a type of social engineering attack often used to steal user data, including login credentials and credit card numbers. It occurs when an attacker, masquerading as a trusted entity, dupes a victim into opening an email, instant message, or text message.
This method involves a malevolent individual sending us a seemingly harmless email or text message with the intent of gaining access to our personal information.
Malware is a malicious file that is unintentionally put on the devices of its victims. A cybercriminal can use this technique to get access to personal information or to use the resources of the afflicted system.
To avoid falling victim to these online frauds, the Organization of Consumers and Users (OCU) recommends following these guidelines when reading email:
*It must be confirmed that the sender’s name is known and that the email address is valid. To do so, look at the domain (the @ at the end of the email address) to see if it’s an official email or if it says who it is. Because fraudsters frequently use machine translators, you should be cautious if spelling, concordance, or composition problems are discovered.
Hovering the cursor over the links or links provided in the email is suggested. In most cases, the “actual” address of the link displays in a little window; if it differs from the one in the email, it is most likely a hoax. When opening attachments, especially those that attempt to install software on the computer, caution should be exercised.
In 2021, the most popular Gmail scams
*Google’s technical assistance You should be sceptical if you receive an email offering Gmail Technical Support to recover your account’s username and password or to configure it. According to tuexperto.com, “The Gmail Help Center is where you can get official Gmail help.” Neither Gmail nor Google are associated with those addresses or the websites to which they link. Furthermore, you will almost certainly be requested to pay in exchange for your assistance. Something for which Google does not charge. ”
A virus-infected PC or a hacked Gmail account Another typical Gmail scam involves receiving an email claiming that your account has been hacked or that your computer has a hazardous virus. In these emails, they frequently request personal information as well as payment in exchange for the account’s release.
* Keeping the account up to date. Another fraud involves the input of an email claiming that the account must be updated or it will be suspended. On tuexperto.com, they explain it. In that email, there is a link that appears to be from Google, but it actually takes the user to a website run by hackers, where they ask for personal information. There is no need to act, but be cautious with this type of email.”
*Google Lottery is a search engine that allows you to play the lottery. Frauds with phoney prizes account for a large portion of all email scams. As tuexperto.com points out, one of them is made up of “in which the user is notified that he has won a Google lottery prize through email.” It asks for personal information in order to receive the prize, which is incorrect because the company does not organise lottery draws.
Payments to customs In this scam, a cybercriminal sends an email acting as a customs or tax official, claiming that the victim owes money for courier services, deliveries, taxes, and other services.
*Search for a job opening on Google. In this scenario, the cybercriminal sends the victim a Gmail message alerting him that he has been selected for a Google position. This is compounded by the demand for payment before the start of the work, indicating that this is certainly another fraud.