Posted by Blanca Carton September 17, 2009
Although the Internet is a great source for job offers and other opportunities, it is also frequently exploited by hackers to defraud users quickly and anonymously.
A typical example of this comes in the form of junk mail –or spam- that will no doubt have reached your mailbox at some time. This junk mail offers many things:
- Easy money for taking part in a competition by dialing a premium-rate number.
- Information from your bank, promising a gift or asking for your login details (or credit card number and password).
- Job offers promising incredible salaries… asking you to dial a number or send your CV together with a certain amount of money (supposedly to cover administrative costs).
- Tax returns… claiming they need the user’s credit card number and password to complete the transaction.
Remember:
- No company/bank would ever request your account number and password by email/phone. This data is confidential.Â
- Follow the safe online purchase/payment procedure we have outlined before Some Safe Online Shopping Tips.
- Never be rushed into a decision. If you have any doubts, contact your consumer advice office.
- Keep your antivirus up-to-date. This will help you prevent spam.
Tell us about your experience.
Blanca Carton
Panda Security specializes in the development of endpoint security products and is part of the WatchGuard portfolio of IT security solutions. Initially focused on the development of antivirus software, the company has since expanded its line of business to advanced cyber-security services with technology for preventing cyber-crime.
