How to Recognize and Avoid Phishing – Tips to Avoid Identity Theft on the Internet

Can you calculate the amount of time you spend on the internet? Although the numbers that come to your mind are only approximate, they are really significant. Therefore, it is logical that when you spend so much time in cyber space, you want to develop freely and safely with each click; knowing in advance that the security provided on the portals is safe.

The internet is a favorite space for scammers known as hackers, who steal the identity of users, doing Phishing. The best justice against these attacks is the cunning of the user, for that reason, we will share for you simple ways to recognize and prevent identity theft on the internet.

What is Phising and how does it interfere with digital security?

This is a type of computer attack that is carried out by accessing the data of another person, confiscating them for criminal use, through the vulnerabilities of the device itself. This term is mostly used for frauds carried out through emails, which request personal information or invite you to enter links that redirect to “reliable sites”.

Completely anonymous thieves commit scams and impersonations running Mallwares on your devices; this, installing programs like write capturers or keyloggers. These programs copy all the data entered on the keyboard, such as passwords, bank accounts, TDC number and so on.

What can we do to avoid identity theft on the internet?

Trust and simulation are the key to Phising, cyber thieves do not hold weapons: They use the credibility of websites. Although these actions are currently considered as crimes, you can always do something as users to avoid unfortunate events; starting with having the appropriate antivirus to prevent computer vulnerabilities from being exploited.

Spot fraudulent signals

• Fraud alert! It is not common for the official pages of banks or companies to request data such as passwords, or personal information through links or emails. On the other hand, although they can notify you of an unusual activity, they will not sue by that means information that has already been recorded on the official website.
• Do not judge a website by its facade, if a link redirects you to a site that looks trustworthy, remember that fake pages do not carry signs with their intentions. In these, they are used symbols such as a company logo, the slogan and the colors, recreating the image and likeness of the trustworthy ones.
• The fine print is the ideal hiding place for fraudulent sites, the changes are so subtle that they go unnoticed with the naked eye. A special character like “*” Or “0” instead of “O” in the web address, it is enough to turn on the alarms.
• If it seems too good, better think twice, since they seek to empathize through stories, news with eye-catching headlines such as “Earn 2000 euros by clicking!” Also, be wary of directions that ask you forward the link in exchange for a profit: When that happens it is time to click, but immediately on the red X.

Check addresses and avoid links

• Don’t click on unknown links; especially if they ask you for information on collections, payments, address, or family life. If it is infected viruses on Facebook or other social network, we can choose to use ways to remove them or erase it completely.
• Stay in safe places: In the address box located at the top of the screen, you will find a lock icon with the information of the site; the last indicates whether a connection is secure.
• In general, the official pages contain an “http” in this box, which represents a user security protocol; acting as a block against the interception of information provided by it, to the site.
• In the event that what is received is a document, use tools such as Google Drive; It is possible to open the documents through the Google Drive, and thus you will avoid downloading it directly to any of your devices.
• Keep equipment up-to-date it is also a way to protect the security of stored data; making frequent updates to the software, plus an anti-virus program in tune, which issues alerts about the danger, will be key to effective cyber security.