How much do you know about cyber safety? Installing antivirus software and keeping an eye on your bank accounts so that you know when your card has been compromised, are commonplace these days. While many cybercriminals are still using those standard hacking techniques to attempt to steal your information, others have evolved. According to FBI, cybercrimes are rising exponentially, leaving many Ohio residents at risk. Ohio ranks 6th in the nation in cybercrimes. You need to know what to look for so you can avoid becoming a victim.
Spoof Emails
Spoof emails are those that look like valid messages from your bank. These emails appear in your inbox and contain wording that’s designed to make you panic. You might see something along the lines of “Your account has been compromised. Click here to reset your password.” When you click on that link and fill out the information requested, the cybercriminals end up with all of the information they need to steal your money.
Other spoof emails are sent through an internal business network. It may look like an email from your boss, but something isn’t quite correct. The email address could have a minor misspelling or the body of the message may have typos. Either way, you trust that the link provided in the email is valid, so you click on it, and inadvertently give access to the hackers.
Phony Business Wire Transfers
Another tactic used by cybercriminals consists of wire transfers. They’ll target a large company and break into their messaging system in order to monitor it, looking for financial information. Once they find it, they’ll authorize wire transfers to themselves from the company. It looks as though the wire was sent through by correct means, so the bank allows it. Before anyone has realized what happened, the criminals wind up with thousands, if not millions, of dollars that may never be recovered.
Cybercriminals are becoming more and more sophisticated, so they may alter their methods in order to stay ahead of law enforcement. All you can do is stay diligent and be aware of the tricks used by hackers to get your information. If you notice anything suspect, alert your IT department and law enforcement.
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