Our summer holidays are a prime time for internet fraud, writes KATHY HOLLOWAY
As the holidays approach, Symantec (providers of Norton antivirus protection) warn computer users to be on the lookout for malware attacks disguised as special seasonal offers. This and similar efforts are part of a campaign to steal your credit card information and identity. With the holiday shopping season rushing toward us, be sure to exercise extreme diligence regarding the businesses to which you give sensitive information. The tricks that these criminals use during the holiday season are difficult to discern from legitimate marketing.
Recent statistics from Netguide suggest that 87 per cent of all email sent this November was spam with an expected increase for December/January. Also, popular social networking sites like Facebook are being targeted increasingly by spam and phishing attacks. Phishing, remember, is the use of spoofed emails and fraudulent websites that masquerade as legitimate business sites. The fake sites are designed to fool respondents into entering personal financial data such as credit card numbers, account user names, and passwords, which can then be used for financial or identity theft.
As you go on holiday from work this Christmas/New Year, spare a thought for the overflowing email inbox that will be waiting for you upon your return. This is because the holiday season represents a great opportunity for spammers and con artists to exploit novice online shoppers. One new method being reported is to send a fake invoice via email and ask the recipient to confirm or cancel the order. In order to cancel the order users have to input their credit card details so that their account can be credited – I am sure you realise that this is NEVER a good idea.
How can you stay safe? Avoid clicking links in emails. If you want to visit your favorite retail site to check out their holiday specials, type the address directly into the address bar. Most legitimate sites will not force you to click a link within an email to take advantage of their latest deals. Some anti-spam sites suggest turning off the HTML enabling in your email client – this means that links do not work so you cannot accidentally click!
As noted in previous columns, the concern about spam is not merely the nuisance factor of unwanted emails (though this can be considerable!). Spam can also harbour viruses, distribute ‘phishing’ lures, and spread Trojan horses. A Trojan horse is a destructive program that masquerades as a benign application. Unlike a virus, Trojan horses do not replicate themselves but they can be just as destructive. The most insidious types of Trojans are programs that claim to rid your computer of viruses but instead introduce viruses onto your computer.
So how do you avoid spam? Follow these simple guidelines on the McAfee website www.mcafee.com/us/threat_center/anti_spam/spam_tips.html. Important to note, NEVER reply to a spam email or follow any URLs in the message. Essentially, this validates the email account and flags you as a candidate for more spam. Remember you can also contact your internet service provider (ISP) – many provide spam filtering as a service to their customers, either as a free service or as a low-cost extra. Remember, with awareness, comes choice in relation to your spam – stick to the more palatable Christmas ham!
Kathy Holloway is associate dean of the Faculty of Health Education and Social Sciences at Whitireia Community Polytechnic.
