Make sure your holidays are not ruined by scammers and cybercriminals

Nov 13, 2013 01:11 GMT  ·  By

The winter holidays are just around the corner, which means that cybercriminals and scammers are moving into high gear. IT security firm McAfee has published an advisory to warn mobile users about the 12 most common scams that they might encounter in this period.

1. If you’re looking to install mobile apps, make sure you only download them from trusted websites and app markets. Many mobile threats can steal sensitive information from your mobile device.

2. During the holidays, scammers will bombard potential victims with SMSs that advertise apps or updates. The same advice applies. Don’t download anything from websites you don’t know and trust.

3. Be on the lookout for promotions that seem too good to be true. Scams that promise hot deals on popular gadgets can ruin your holidays.

4. If you want to travel this holiday season, beware of travel schemes. Avoid clicking on links received via unsolicited emails, and don’t book anything before making sure the travel company is legit.

5. Many people send e-cards on holidays. If you get one from someone you don’t know, don’t open it, since it will likely lead to some dangerous website or a piece of malware.

6. Cybercriminals often disguise their malicious applications as games. To avoid falling victim to such attacks, only download popular online games from reputable websites. Moreover, since fake apps can also make their way to trusted sites, make sure you check out the reviews before downloading.

7. With everyone purchasing gifts online, the number of bogus shipping notifications will likely increase. Properly check out such messages before clicking on the links they contain, or before opening their attachments.

8. Bogus gift cards can be seen all year round, but during the holidays, we’ll likely see more of them. If you want to buy gift cards, buy them only from official retailers, not third-party sites.

9. SMS phishing or SMSishing is also problematic. Never hand over sensitive information in response to SMS messages.

10. If you want to make donations, beware of fake charities. Websites and emails can be designed to mimic real ones, so be extra careful.

11. If you want to register on dating websites, beware of romance scams. People have lost up to hundreds of thousands of dollars to fraudsters.

12. When shopping online, make sure the websites you’re purchasing from are trusted. If you buy something from a fraud site, you’ll never see the product you’ve ordered or the money you’ve paid for it.