Internet Safety: How To Spot And Avoid Scams

Published on: 27 January 2023 Last Updated on: 11 February 2026

Individuals and businesses are at increasing risk from online scams. Let’s set the scene.

According to International Data Corporation, there will be more than 40 billion connected devices worldwide by 2025.
Cyber Ventures reported that almost four million records are stolen daily due to data breaches, which is about 45 per second.
And a study from Maryland University demonstrated that there is a new victim of cybercrime every 39 seconds.

Online scams are costly and potentially fatal. While many dangers exist online, raising your awareness and adopting good habits can improve your information security and internet safety.

How to Spot (and Avoid) a Scam

Phishing attempts are the primary ways people are scammed online. Scammers may send these communications via social media and text, but the overwhelming majority use email.

While phishing attacks can be specific – known as spearphishing attacks – the vast majority are sent indiscriminately. Fortunately, this spam will tend to have some giveaways. Spotting these can help protect us and our data.

Demands for Personal Information

Reputable businesses don’t ask for personal information via email or social messaging. Delivery drivers that need you to confirm your full name and address are normally bogus. Banks and government departments never ask their clients to send sensitive data such as bank account information, usernames, or passwords via email.

Offers Too Good to Be True (Probably Are)

Be suspicious when offered extremely low-price goods, services, or holidays. If it makes you wonder how they can afford to make such a deal, the answer is that they expect to add hidden fees, or the offer doesn’t exist. The sender expects to gain valuable personal information from people eager to sign up.

Claims You Have Won Something

It’s exciting to win a contest or lottery draw but ask yourself if you even entered a competition. Messages like these generate excitement and prompt people to act quickly to claim their prize.

Such communications may also suggest that you have been personally and individually selected. In a way, you have been selected, but so have thousands of other people, and not for anything good.

Terrible Spelling and Grammar

Spam is renowned for its major spelling and grammar issues. To avoid scams, remember that businesses spend thousands on marketing. They work hard to ensure their communications are attractive and error-free. If you notice spelling and grammar errors, it’s unlikely to be from a reputable business.

Fake Addresses and Other Impersonation Attempts

Scams often use impersonation to benefit from a brand’s authority. People are more likely to believe a message if it seems to be from Microsoft or the Government.

To avoid falling for this trick, check the URL or email address carefully. A scammer typically alters a business name slightly to make it seem authentic, such as the Facebook instead of Facebook or Microsoft instead of Microsoft.

If the sender claims to be from a big organization but uses a generic email account, like Gmail or Hotmail, this is also a warning.

High-Pressure Tactics

Most scams work best for criminals when the victims don’t think too deeply about their actions. Communications that insist on an urgent, immediate response should be read very carefully. Verify the details where necessary.

More on Avoiding Scams

Now that you know how to spot and avoid specific scams, here are some more tips on how to avoid scammers in general.

Use Reverse Phone Lookup Services to Verify Senders’ Details

One reason the internet is such a hotbed for crime is that it’s easy for criminals to maintain anonymity. Cybercriminals can stay off the radar by using a virtual private network and dealing in wire transfers and cryptocurrency. They can pretend to be someone else, of course; your bank manager; a delivery driver; or an IT help desk technician. Or a friend or family member.

If you’re not sure who you are communicating with, use the internet to your benefit. Go to PhoneHistory or any other reverse phone lookup site to verify people’s contact details. You can do this whenever you have suspicions or simply because you’re dealing with someone you’ve not met in a physical location.

Block and Report Spam

Don’t hit reply, no matter how much you’d like to hit the sender. Giving them a piece of your mind tells them you have an active email address and that other spammers should probably target you.

Most email service providers enable you to block and/or report spam. Ideally, do both. Depending on the email system, you might need to choose “block” before you see the option to report it, or vice versa.

Blocking and reporting spam helps your email provider eliminate spam emails from your inbox. And it can help them protect other users from potentially harmful communications.

Do Not Interact with Potential Scammers

Resist the temptation to click on a link within the message if you are suspicious about the sender’s intent. Clicking a link can signal to the sender that your email address is active and cause malware to be downloaded to your device.

Malware can cause many issues, including:

locking you out of your machine (a distributed denial of service attack (DDoS));
encrypting your data unless you pay a ransom for the decryption key (ransomware);
installing software that allows a third party to track your activities and/or keypresses (spyware).

Read Privacy Notices

Since the implementation of GDPR cybersecurity regulations, a pop-up frequently appears on visiting a website, inviting you to read their privacy policy and asking you to confirm your preferences regarding cookies.

Most websites are reputable with good intent. Sometimes, however, they are willing to sell the information they learn about you to third parties, who may send you anything from unsolicited marketing emails to harmful, targeted scams.

If you don’t have the patience to read every privacy notice, it is still worthwhile saying no to all but essential cookies. It’s quicker than it seems. And make sure to deny the company’s permission to contact you or share your data unless you trust them.

Conclusion

Internet safety can seem daunting, but most people don’t think twice about improving their car security, home security, and personal safety. Stay observant, check out the identities of people you haven’t developed relationships with yet, and employ a few other good internet habits to keep you, your friends, and your family safe online.

Additional:

What Is Zero Trust In Cybersecurity Context?
Top 6 Cybersecurity Trends Everyone should Know
Everything You Need To Know About PKI In Cybersecurity
Top 10 Cybersecurity Features That Are A Must-Have In An Ecommerce Store

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6 Benefits Of Microsoft 365 Security

If you’re considering investing in Microsoft 365 or need a little more convincing, read through the list of benefits below. Here, we cover details of Microsoft Office 365 security and compliance, enterprise-level mobility, and powerful solutions that help to optimize productivity – wherever your team is working. To get a clear picture of the benefits of Microsoft 365, we’ve sought the help of IT experts in the know. Microsoft Office 365 Security Features: When your employees work remotely, they carry a lot of sensitive data on their laptops and mobile devices. For business owners or managers, you want to rest assured that this data is securely stored while still being easily accessible to your workforce. The key security features included with Microsoft 365 are: Office 365 Advanced Threat Protection Azure Information Protection P1 Intune Data Loss Protection These features protect against external threats such as hackers, phishing emails, and malware and prevent sensitive customer information – email addresses or credit card details – from leaving the organization. By purchasing all these features in a single package, you will also save a significant sum of money on your monthly subscription. 1. Layered Security Approach: Microsoft 365 provides three levels of security: Threat protection. You will be protected from common external threats, such as spam, phishing emails, and malware, while also receiving cutting-edge defense from more sophisticated threats, such as zero-day ransomware. Data leak protection. As previously stated, 365 prevents sensitive data from leaving your system, providing peace of mind to any employer with a remote workforce. Control data access. You can customize your level of security regarding sensitive data by applying restrictions such as ‘do not copy’ or ‘do not forward to certain information. You can also remotely wipe data from lost or stolen devices. 2. Seamless Integration & Collaboration The best feature of Microsoft 365 is always its capability to help users collaborate. It breaks down the silos that different tools work in. Thanks to OneDrive integrating different apps and software under Microsoft 365, users can work together, document process in real-time, and do more. It allows users to communicate effectively through video, chat, and share files on a single platform. Thanks to this seamless integration, it’s easier for someone to streamline workflow and improve their productivity. Also, OneDrive and Sharepoint of Microsoft 365 make it easier for users to access data and work information from any device. The features of Teams make it easier for inter-team collaboration and communication. The efficient features of Outlook Mail, PowerPoint, and Excel Sheets are doubtlessly important in the professional environment. Also, the Microsoft 365 environment makes it easier for users to remember different apps under the Microsoft 365 umbrella. Every single app has a unique and memorable logo. Also, all the apps are easy to use. 3. Advanced Threat Protection: If you suffer a malware attack, it could spell the beginning of the end for your business by resulting in lost work hours, loss of income, and an undermining of public trust. With Microsoft 365, links are checked in real-time to warn you if it will take you to a malicious website. Email attachments are scanned for malware, and your devices are monitored for any suspicious strings of communication that might indicate the beginning of a ransomware attack. Also, users can secure the flow of emails and mailbox audit logging using Microsoft Defender for Office 365. All of this means that the future of your business won’t rely on your employees’ ability to spot a suspicious email or attachment before they can click on it. Office 365 has a threat and attack monitoring and prevention response. 4. Data Loss Prevention: Keeping all the sensitive information, your business holds secure is a difficult task and a constant battle that never goes away. With 365, you can apply data loss prevention policies to prevent sensitive information from falling into the wrong hands, encrypt devices to protect data if that device is stolen or lost, and manage all your company devices remotely; handy for when an employee leaves, and you need to wipe all company data from their phone and laptop. 5. Control Data Access: Identity and access management through the MFA and PIM gives Microsoft 365 users peace of mind. Its security features for control and access are unparalleled. It doesn’t assign the global admin role to everyone. Instead, Contosco creates three different Global Admin accounts using strong passwords. Microsoft Entra Authentication and PIM ( Privileged Identity Protection) are responsible for protecting the accounts. The Azure Information Protection Feature allows you to manage and control how data is accessed and shared across your business. You can require your employees and customers to sign in to sensitive information with a fingerprint or PIN and classify that information as ‘sensitive’ to restrict how it is shared both inside and outside the business. 6. Powerful Tools For Enhanced Productivity The apps and additional tools in the Microsoft 365 ecosystem are efficient and productive. Most apps come with amazing productivity features. Microsoft’s suite of apps includes the best word processors like Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and other tools with AI features. The AI-powered Designer under Powerpoint provides you with different design features. You can use Excel Insights to find out patterns in your data. The grammar assists in the writing tool and also helps to write effectively inside words. Also, the co-authoring features of Microsoft Word allow multiple users to use the same document at the same time. This enables a new gateway for seamless collaboration. Windows 10: By upgrading to Microsoft 365, you get the added bonus of standardizing your employee workstations on Windows 10. Windows 10 is the most secure Windows platform ever, coming with its own range of security innovations that significantly reduce your business’s risk profile, as well as adding cloud-based management to ensure that all your devices are properly configured. Microsoft and its suite of apps are a vast world, opening a huge world of opportunity for the professional environment. Users find more hidden tricks and techniques as they delve deep into the world of Microsoft 365. Read Also: Ways Of Protecting Your Privacy Online Top 10 Computer Security Mistakes Defending Your Modern Company Through the Use of Threat Intelligence

Data Breach Prevention: Proactive Strategies For Businesses

Data breaches have become an increasingly prevalent issue for businesses across the globe, with the potential to compromise sensitive information and inflict significant reputational and financial damage. Organizations must adopt robust measures to safeguard their data assets in the face of evolving cyber threats. This article delves into proactive strategies that businesses can employ to fortify their defenses against data breaches, emphasizing the integration of cutting-edge solutions and adherence to best practices in cybersecurity. Understanding The Threat Landscape Before diving into prevention strategies, businesses must grasp the breadth and complexity of the threat landscape. Cyber threats can emanate from various sources, including malicious hackers, insider threats, and accidental disclosures. The methods used by attackers are equally diverse, ranging from sophisticated phishing schemes and malware attacks to exploiting software vulnerabilities and conducting brute force attacks. Leveraging Data Protection As A Service (Dpaas) One of the cornerstone approaches for enhancing data security involves leveraging Data Protection as a Service (DPaaS). DPaaS offers a comprehensive suite of services that cater to the critical needs of data backup, recovery, and security. By adopting DPaaS, businesses can benefit from scalable, cloud-based solutions that provide robust encryption, threat detection capabilities, and continuous monitoring of data assets. This service simplifies the complexity of data protection efforts and ensures compliance with regulatory standards and best practices in data security. Establishing A Culture Of Security Awareness A proactive data breach prevention strategy is complete with fostering a culture of security awareness among employees. Human errors remain a significant vulnerability that can lead to data breaches. Therefore, conducting regular training sessions on cybersecurity best practices, phishing awareness, and secure handling of sensitive information is imperative. Encouraging employees to adopt strong password practices, recognize suspicious emails, and report potential security incidents can significantly reduce the risk of data breaches. Implementing Strong Access Control Measures Effective access control is a critical component of data breach prevention. Businesses should adopt the principle of least privilege, ensuring that employees have access only to the information and resources necessary for their job functions. Implementing multi-factor authentication (MFA) adds a layer of security, requiring users to provide two or more verification factors to gain access to systems or data. Such measures drastically reduce the likelihood of unauthorized access, even if login credentials are compromised. Regular Updating And Patching Systems Cyber attackers often exploit vulnerabilities in outdated software and systems to gain unauthorized access to data. To combat this, businesses must implement a rigorous schedule for regularly updating and patching their IT infrastructure. This includes operating systems, applications, and network devices. Organizations can close security gaps and protect against known exploits by ensuring that all components are up to date. Employing Advanced Threat Detection And Response Advancements in technology have enabled the development of sophisticated tools for threat detection and response. Utilizing artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms, these tools can analyze patterns, detect anomalies, and identify potential threats in real time. Automated response mechanisms can be activated in a suspected breach to contain and mitigate the impact, minimizing damage and facilitating a swift recovery. Conducting Regular Security Audits And Assessments Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments are vital for identifying weaknesses in an organization’s cybersecurity posture. These evaluations should encompass all aspects of the IT ecosystem, including network infrastructure, applications, and end-point devices. By conducting these assessments, businesses can gain insights into vulnerabilities and implement corrective measures to strengthen their defenses. Developing A Comprehensive Incident Response Plan Despite the best efforts to prevent data breaches, the possibility of an incident cannot be eliminated. Therefore, having a comprehensive incident response plan is critical. This plan should outline the steps to be taken in the event of a breach, including the immediate containment of the breach, assessment of the impact, notification of affected parties, and measures to prevent future incidents. Regular drills and simulations ensure the response team is well-prepared to act swiftly and effectively in a real-world scenario. Utilizing Secure Cloud Storage Solutions The swiftness towards cloud computing has offered businesses flexibility and scalability in managing their data. However, it also introduces new security considerations. Secure cloud storage solutions, equipped with end-to-end encryption, regular security audits, and compliance certifications, provide a robust framework for protecting data stored in the cloud. Businesses should carefully select cloud service providers that adhere to stringent security standards and offer transparency in their security practices. Engaging In Threat Intelligence Sharing Threat intelligence sharing involves exchanging information about emerging threats, vulnerabilities, and attack strategies with other organizations and security entities. This collaborative approach enhances the collective ability to anticipate, identify, and respond to cyber threats more effectively. By participating in industry-specific threat intelligence sharing platforms or joining cybersecurity consortia, businesses can gain insights into the latest threat landscape, adapt their defense mechanisms accordingly, and contribute to a broader cybersecurity ecosystem. Investing In Cybersecurity Training And Education Continuous education and training programs for IT staff and employees are vital in keeping pace with the latest cybersecurity trends, threats, and prevention techniques. Specialized training for cybersecurity teams ensures they are equipped with the knowledge and skills to implement advanced security measures and respond to incidents effectively. For the wider workforce, regular awareness sessions can help in recognizing and mitigating the risks associated with social engineering attacks, phishing, and other common cyber threats. Adopting Zero Trust Security Architecture The Zero Trust model operates on the principle that no entity, whether inside or outside the network, should be automatically trusted. This security approach requires verification for every access request, irrespective of its origin. Implementing Zero Trust involves segmenting networks, enforcing strict access controls, and continuously monitoring and validating user and device activity. This model significantly reduces the attack surface and limits the potential impact of a breach. Enhancing Data Privacy Measures Beyond protecting data from unauthorized access, it's essential to focus on privacy aspects. This includes implementing data minimization practices, where only the necessary amount of personal data is collected and stored. Furthermore, ensuring transparency in data processing activities and providing users with control over their data enhances trust and complies with privacy regulations. Data privacy measures, coupled with security practices, create a robust framework for safeguarding sensitive information. Regularly Reviewing And Updating Security Policies Cybersecurity is not a set-and-forget endeavor. As technologies evolve and new threats emerge, security policies and procedures must be regularly reviewed and updated. This includes revising access controls, data encryption protocols, and incident response plans to address new vulnerabilities and compliance requirements. A dynamic approach to policy management ensures that the organization's security posture remains strong in the face of evolving cyber threats. Final Thoughts The importance of a comprehensive and proactive approach to data breach prevention cannot be overstated. By embracing a culture of continuous improvement and integrating advanced security measures, organizations can not only protect their valuable data assets but also build trust with customers and stakeholders. The journey towards enhanced cybersecurity is ongoing, requiring vigilance, adaptability, and a commitment to excellence in safeguarding information in an ever-changing threat environment. Read Also: The Importance Of Cybersecurity In The Digital Age What Are Some Best Practices To Prevent Phishing Attacks? Learn Everything About Google Verification Code Scams In 2023

PKI in Cybersecurity: What Is It, Importance, Applications, And More

Cybersecurity is one of the most sought-after academic disciplines in colleges and universities. In today’s world, since there are a lot of cyber-attacks, the importance of implementing proper cybersecurity measures has become mandatory. In this tech-driven day and age, the trend of using Public Key Infrastructure, or PKI, is on the rise. A tech person would easily understand what PKI means, but an average Joe would not know a thing about it. In this article, we are going to delve deep into knowing the basics of Public Key Infrastructure. There are many tools like Keyfactor that provide Cyber Security certifications. So, without wasting any further time, let us take a brief look at what PKI actually is. What Does The Term PKI Mean? In simple words, PKI is the term that focuses on everything that establishes and runs public key encryption. Public Key Infrastructure is one of the most common types of Internet encryption that deals with Cybersecurity. It is actually installed on all web browsers to ensure that the traffic of the website is coming from a secure place. Organizations also use PKI to secure their internal communications. The whole concept of PKI revolves around cryptography; it ensures that proper security is provided to websites. Keep in mind that these keys are not a part of the process of encryption; they just help to authenticate the true identity of the parties or devices. They are just certificate givers. What Are PKI Certificates? PKI certificates are nothing but online documents that work like digital passports. They are basically given to websites or entities that want to join the PKI-secured conversation. PKI certificates are not just random authentications, as they can contain a significant amount of data. One of the top important pieces of information that a certificate includes is the website’s or entity’s public key; the certificate is only the medium through which the key is shared. Then comes the part of authentication. Here, the certificate comes with an attestation from a reliable source that the entity or website is who they declare to be. Let us look at some of the key elements of PKI certificates to get a better understanding. 1. Registration Authority – The registration authority is the single most important element in the Public Key Certificate. It confirms the identities of those asking for digital certificates. 2. Certificate Authority – The certificate authority signs the entities with its public key and issues digital certificates. 3. Certificate Policy – This certificate policy outlines all the PKI procedures; it helps outsiders judge the authenticity of the website. 4. Certificate Database – The Database stores the metadata and certificates until the license expires. Now that you know the basis of PKI and PKI certificates, let us take a look at the uses of PKI. Different Types Of Public Key Infrastructure (PKI)? Basically, PKI (public key infrastructure) includes a system consisting of technologies, policies, and procedures. With the help of PKI, you can create, manage, and use public keys and digital certificates. Generally, PKI falls under the basics of cybersecurity. Actually, it helps systems to secure communication and data transfer. Additionally, it also helps the system to establish user identity, services, and devices. The following are the ways through which PKIs help you ensure cybersecurity in your organization: 1. Digital Certificates Basically, these are electronic data structures that bind a user or any entity to their public keys. In fact, you can use digital certificates if you want to establish a secure connection between private systems and public web pages. Some examples of such systems are internal Wi-Fis, VPNs, wiki pages, etc. 2. Encryption You need a cryptographic key if you want to authenticate devices or people. This helps in securing the network system when someone is trying to communicate with the network. 3. Digital Signatures It will be easier to verify whether certain electronic documents are authentic or not with the help of digital signatures. Hence, when you are dealing with contracts, legal paperwork, and other records, digital signatures can help you a lot. 4. Data Protection With a variety of features for protection, PKI helps to protect data and ensure accountability. This will help in verifying transactions. 5. Controlled Access You can verify and establish the identity of various entities in the network. Hence, this ensures limited access to resources and network systems. What Are The Uses Of Public Key Infrastructure? I am sure you have heard the term SSL before; it is the most common PKI implementation. But PKI is not just limited to SSL. There are a ton of other uses of PKI as well. Securing Local Networks. Email Encryption. Securing IOT Devices. Securing Internal Communications. Signing Documents. Giving Recovery Key for Encrypted Hard Drives. I hope by now you have understood the uses of PKI, so let us take a look at some of the risks that you may face if you do not execute PKI properly. What Are The Dangers Of Poor PKI Implementation? The thing is, having PKI does not ensure total security, but IT and Security Professionals take PKI very seriously because they are well aware of the risks. Some of the common risks that you may face due to poor PKI implementation are: More encryption increases operational costs Most business organizationslack the proper infrastructure to Implement PKI Unsecured websites undermine trust. Final Thoughts: There you have it. Above was pretty much everything that you needed to know about PKI, aka Public Key Infrastructure. Basically, you can use PKIs to manage and control public keys. Here, your goal is to encrypt these public keys to protect the network. This ensures secure data transfer and communication on the Internet. I hope you have found this article informative and educational. If you have some further queries in regard to PKI, kindly comment them down below. Read Also: Would Your Ecommerce Website Pass the Cybersecurity Test? Here are 3 Things You Could Be Doing Wrong 6 Benefits of Microsoft 365 Security Five Tips to Make Sure Your Security Software Is Actually Secure Why You Need A Secure Wifi Connection In Shared Space

Internet Safety: How To Spot And Avoid Scams