Welcome Ladies and Gentlemen to the next part of our Sappi Cyber Security awareness journey! Prepare to risk it all and win or dare to lose everything as we play through the Internet and how you could be safe and not gamble with your personal details because…
The Internet is not a game.
How can criminals hack your details while you surf the web?
There are quite a lot of deceptive techniques hackers use in order to obtain your personal information. Some of their techniques include:
Redirecting you to a fake and unsecure website
Send malicious malware or spyware through an email
Hacking your device through public Wi-Fi hotspots
Claim you’ve won a prize, but require your information to ensure payment
Create fake links
Flood your computer with pop-up banners that open without you even knowing
Luckily you can prevent yourself from falling victim to their schemes. If something looks too good to be true, it probably is, so use your common sense and trust your gut before clicking yourself into trouble.
What other ways can you protect yourself if you’re unsure about anything you come across on the Internet?
- Use a password manager
- Install a reputable browser that doesn’t allow third party infiltration
- Install an anti-virus to protect your computer from any malicious viruses or spyware
- Before entering your details anywhere, first check the address bar for a padlock icon and that the address starts with https://
- Back up your data regularly
- Don’t ever activate your browser’s autofill feature as it allows easy access to your information
- Think twice before opening a suspicious email or link, it can redirect you to a fake website or download a virus or spyware onto your computer
- Clear your browser’s cookies regularly
- Steer clear of downloading torrents as you could easily download a virus or spyware
- Activate your computer’s firewall
- Enable your browser’s pop-up blocker
When surfing the Internet, it’s important to remember that the Internet really isn’t a game and you can really get hurt – either financially or other. So next time you see something on the Internet that looks too good to be true, use your discretion and remember not to gamble with your personal details and the safety thereof.
For more information and threats, look out for Sappi Cyber Quest, the Wheel of Misfortune and Grand Theft Info!
If you come across any suspicious or illegal content while surfing the Internet, please report it to phishingreport@sappi.com
