Given the events currently taking place in Ukraine, you should be even more careful of any emails you receive and avoid clicking any links or attachments that you cannot verify as being legitimate.
Email is the vector most likely to be targeted along with Ransomware, Malware and Phishing. All of these scams, and others, will increase along with other forms of deception, targeting user accounts, domains, servers and banking facilities.
Having antivirus, firewalls, VPN and general security all help to provide a layer of security, but they are often not enough. We just need to be extra vigilant with emails we do not expect.
Some basic ways to protect you and your computer from email viruses and scams.
- Don’t Open Unexpected Attachments – Viruses are often sent via email attachments. Although most email companies scan emails and cleans or blocks known viruses, new viruses may get through before your antivirus software or email provide has been updated. It’s rare but it does happen.
- Do not open an attachment unless you are expecting it AND you know who it is from.
- If you receive an attachment from someone you don’t know, delete it immediately without opening it.
- Use antivirus and firewall software and keep it updated. There are some great free ones (TotalAV for example for antivirus, Comodo is a good free Firewall and antivirus).
- If you need to send an attachment, contact the recipient and let him know you are sending it so he knows it is not a virus.
- Beware of Spoof Emails or Phishing – Phishing emails are an attempt by thieves to lure you into divulging personal information for their profit. Learn to recognize the telltale signs of Phishing.
- Don’t Send Sensitive Data in Email – When you send a message, you no longer have control over what is done with it or to whom it is forwarded.
- Avoid clicking on links in the body of an email message – While these links may not be a phishing attempt, they may not go to the site you intend. Unless you are completely comfortable that the email is legitimate, it is best to copy and paste the link or type it in directly in your browser.
At the moment identity theft is the largest form of cybercrime accounting for billions of pounds of loss every year. The numbers are on the increase year on year. Be careful, be safe, and if in doubt, double check the details.
