Tips to avoid falling into the traps of cybercriminals when shopping online.
E-commerce is here to stay, so much so that in 2020 the ecommerce In Ecuador it moved $ 2.3 billion, a growth of $ 700 million (43.75%) compared to what was achieved in 2019. The restrictions due to the pandemic caused online sales to grow, but events such as the Black Friday (November 26 in this 2021) or the Cyber Monday (November 29th).
However, criminals will always look for new ways to scam and see a new niche on the internet. ESET, the computer security company, details that when you are close to special dates or events related to online commerce, such as the Cyber Monday or the Black Friday, for example, these attract cybercriminals to carry out attacks related to deceptive communications, impersonation of sellers, and even fake stores.
Among the tips he gives to avoid falling into the traps of cybercriminals when making purchases online You will find yourself making all purchases in stores or brands with a verifiable reputation, and seeking customer opinions whenever possible.
Also, another important point is to verify that the messages of the brands or companies about unmissable offers are real, it is important to keep in mind that it may be a case of phishing, or fraudulent communications where cybercriminals seek to steal various credentials, money or install malicious files on the computer, details ESET.
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Some indicators of phishing They are: The sender (be it his email address, telephone number or social media user) is not officially related to the entity he claims to represent, the means of communication is unusual (for example, a bank communicating on Twitter) , the constant insistence to enter a site or download a file to obtain a great benefit offered for free or solve a serious problem, and a time limit (24 hours, one week from the opening of the mail, among others) to carry out the action requested.
Another point that stands out is to use the official sites or social networks of the shops to make purchases. One of the most common attacks in limited offer events is the theft of money or credit information through fake sites, impersonating popular companies, and taking advantage of the urgency generated in users by having offers and discounts for a limited time.
More than 600 reports of cybercrimes have been registered in Ecuador so far in 2021
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In addition, and especially in cases where payments are made online, it is suggested to check that the site where it is operated has encryption in its communications. This means that, when transferring data, they are not readable by those who might intercept the connection. To do this, the URL of the site must begin with “https: //” or have the famous padlock to the left of it. (I)
Paul is a talented author and journalist with a passion for entertainment and general news. He currently works as a writer at the 247 News Agency, where he has established herself as a respected voice in the industry.
