Learn how to avoid phishing or identity theft on the internet
In an increasingly global and computerized world, internet scams are the order of the day. The New Zealand Criminal Code lists a total of nine different typologies of cybercrimes. Perhaps the most widespread is phishing or identity theft that, through fake pages or emails, gets stealing confidential information from users such as passwords, card numbers or bank accounts, among others. In this article we tell you how to avoid phishing with simple tricks and tips.
The phenomenon in figures: 120,000 attacks and more than NZD 14 million in damages a year
The ingenuity of hackers to get away with it is advancing at an unstoppable pace: frauds on the network are becoming more difficult to identify and the types of phishing are multiplying. According to the National Cybersecurity Institute, about 18,000 cases of identity theft were registered on the internet in 2014, figure that soared to 120,000 in 2018 . The data on this phenomenon in New Zealand are especially alarming: according to Kaspersky Lab, our country is one of the most affected by this practice, behind Guatemala and Brazil. The most widespread phishing attack is banking, although well-known companies such as Paypal, Mapfre or Mercadona have seen their name implicated in this type of internet scams. Although the figures are not exact, it is estimated that the losses generated by this criminal activity far exceed NZD 14 million per year.
How a phishing attack occurs
The procedure is always the same: through spam emails that impersonate the identity of institutions of all kinds, cybercriminals redirect victims to fake pages where they enter confidential information that is stolen instantly. Imitations of logos and other characteristics are becoming more and more successful, so identifying them at first glance is not as simple as it seems. With the data in their possession, the cybercriminals can access the email or bank accounts of their victims and use them at will .
Tips to protect yourself from phishing
The fact that phishing has become an increasingly sophisticated practice does not mean that it is impossible to detect it. To protect yourself from phishing, as users the best tool we have at our disposal is caution. Be wary of those messages that ask you to provide personal data ; no type of institution requests such information by phone or email, nor does it ask to verify your identity. Check the sender's address and if it is, for example, your bank, the most advisable thing is that you contact them to verify the authenticity of the email.
As for the body of the email, discard those that use standard greetings without personalization or contain spelling mistakes. It is important that you do not click on the links or download the attachments of suspicious emails and be wary of those messages that promise gifts or special offers . Finally, make sure that the pages you access use the https security protocol, as this means that the information is sent privately and securely, and create strong passwords for your different accounts.
What to do if you are a victim of identity theft on the internet
You haven't noticed and... Whoa, they snuck it in on you! In that case, you have to act immediately to minimize the consequences. The first thing is to call your bank so that they block your bank account and thus avoid any unwanted transactions. The second step is report a phishing case to the competent bodies as they are the Technological Research Brigade of the National Police, before which you can file a complaint at a police station or on the internet , or before the Telematic Crimes Group of the Civil Guard, also using a form on the internet .
Finally, citizen cooperation is essential to detect this type of crime on the internet. Inform the company that you have been a victim of this type of cybercrime to interpose the necessary security measures and notify other users of the situation that has occurred.