Security on the internet

Phishing: fraudulent emails

A quiet evening in front of the computer can quickly turn into a nightmare when an inconspicuous email lands in your inbox. It looks harmless at first glance, but behind the apparently familiar sender a fraudster is often lurking. They want you to follow a link that takes you to a deceptively genuine-looking website. Once there, you unsuspectingly enter personal data – a fatal error. Those data are now in the hands of criminals. So be careful: always check the sender and think twice before clicking on links. Remember, your bank will never ask you for sensitive data by email.

Vishing: fraudulent support calls

You receive an unexpected phone call. A friendly voice on the other end of the line says they work for your bank or an IT company. They claim there is an urgent problem that has to be fixed at once. The fraudster asks you to disclose confidential information or download a supposedly essential program. Don’t be fooled! Hang up at once and don’t divulge any sensitive data. If you have any doubts, contact your bank or the company concerned directly through the official channels.

Pharming: fake websites

Pharming is another risk on the internet. This is where an apparently legitimate website diverts you to a fake site without you noticing. These sites often look deceptively genuine and ask you to enter personal information. To protect yourself, always make sure the websites you visit are safe: a padlock and “https://” in the address line are good indicators. Check the URL carefully and pay attention.

Carding: stolen or fake card information

Carding is where criminals go shopping at your expense using stolen or fake card details. The data are often acquired from phishing, data protection breaches or skimming, and then sold on the dark web. Always use two-factor authentication and strong passwords for your online transactions. Make sure websites are secure and think twice before providing your personal data.

Scamming: baited offers

Had an attractive offer that sounds too good to be true? Fraudsters are trying to con you into making upfront payments using false promises. Be cautious of unknown senders and suspicious messages. Never answer these emails and never send money upfront. Don’t be taken in by supposed profits or romantic promises.

Account takeover: stolen login data

Account takeover is where criminals use stolen login data to make purchases in your name. Often you know nothing of the fraud until invoices and demands for payments start arriving. Protect yourself by only buying from retailers you can trust and paying on sites with SSL encryption. Check your account movements regularly and report suspicious transactions at once. Use strong passwords and activate two-factor authentication.

Stay alert and do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or concerns.