How to protect yourself from phishing: 7 tips
We know, it's easy to get infected. But how users protect themselves? Here are top ten tips to protect yourself from phishing:
1. Always check the link, which you are going to open. If it has some spelling issues, take a double-take to be sure — fraudsters can try to push on a fake page to you. The same applies to the emails from official organizations, such as banks, online-shops and so on. Even if you've received a message or a letter from one of your best friends, remember: they could also have been fooled or hacked.
2. It's better not to follow links in such letters at all. Instead you can open a new window and enter the URL of your banks or online shop manually. In this case you'll not miss a discount or a special offer (if there is one) — and will not become a fraudsters' victim.
3. Enter your username and password only when connection is secured. If you see the "https" prefix before the site URL, it means that everything is OK. If there is no "s" (secure) — beware.
4. When discovering a phishing campaign, you should report it to the bank (if the fraud imitates the bank emails) or to the support desk of your social media network and so forth. This really helps to catch criminals.
5. If you can, don't log in to online banks and similar services via public Wi-Fi networks in cafes or on the streets. The thing is that these networks can be created by fraudsters, who spoof website addresses during the connection and thereby redirect you to a fake page.
6. Files sent by you massively multiplayer online role-playing game comrades may be malicious ransomware or even spyware, just like attachments to messages and emails. So be vigilant!
7. Install any antivirus and follow its recommendations. Most of the AV solutions generally solve the majority of problems automatically and alarm you if necessary.
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