14 DAY TRIAL // As Christmas is approaching and people surf the internet in their quest to find the perfect presents for their loved ones, cybercriminals are not wasting any time, also preparing for the special occasion by launching tons of malicious operations.
McAfee issued a bulletin in which they inform users on the most dangerous schemes that are expected to be seen online in the near future.
Since recent surveys showed that mobile devices will be intensely utilized for Christmas shopping, it's expected that the number of mobile pieces of malware will increase considerably. Also watch out for apps that might promise to show you where the best deals are. Colorful software can easily hide malicious programs that send SMSs to premium rate numbers.
Facebook promotions are not a novelty, but around the time of the holidays these scams will certainly record an increase in numbers. Also related to social media, make sure not to announce the world that you're away from home in case you take a vacation, since robbers can use the information to attack your home.
Fake anti-virus software, scareware and even phishing scams might also come in the form of a fabulous deal. Holiday screensavers must be treated with suspicion, as they can easily hide malevolent elements that spy for your assets.
Individuals and companies can expect a lot of emails. Banks, delivery firms and hotels might contact you to inform you of something. However, if the messages contain a link or an attachment, you can be almost certain they're not from the legitimate institutions.
The mystery shopper scam can also take another form during this season as many might be tempted to think that someone actually wants to hire them to secretly visit stores.
“Cybercriminals rub their hands with glee when they think of the holidays. Consumers are making travel plans, shopping for gifts and bargains, updating Facebook and connecting with friends. However, the vast majority have no security protection for their smartphones or tablets, despite using them heavily during the holiday season,” reveals Gary Davis, director of consumer product marketing at McAfee.
“Consumers need to stay one step ahead of this season’s cyber-scrooges, and make sure they have protection for all of their Internet-enabled devices. Otherwise, they could risk giving the bad guys the biggest gift of all – their own personal and financial information.”