The Internet has become indispensable in our daily lives. But in spite of having countless benefits, its risk factors cannot be ignored especially now as different types of online frauds are growing.
Online fraud is a strategy to deceitfully steal information of a victim or a business entity through websites, e-mails, ingenious telephonic calls or any other internet means for fraudulent transactions, identity theft, scamming by offering jobs, travel visas, etc. One of the latest reports suggests that a large number of Indians especially senior citizens succumb to several types of internet frauds on a regular basis.
Let’s See What Are the Common Online Frauds
Frauds in online banking/Insurance; Credit card and debit card frauds; Online shopping fraud; Identity theft; Social Media fraud; Frauds by providing technical support; Travel frauds; Scamming by offering Jobs; Online Dating fraud; Aadhaar-enabled Payment Services cases; Fedex Courier scam; Sextortion; OTP / KYC process and online bank frauds.
How to avoid these online Frauds
• Always look out whether your computers or mobiles are updated or not. Keep the latest security software, operating system, and web browser as these can protect your devices from malware, viruses, and other online threats. If the possible switch on the automatic updates to get the newest versions of these.
• Always avoid opening any unsolicited messages, links or emails and do not attend to unknown callers. Don’t open any link provided through an e-mail or message.
• Make strong passwords that contain at least eight characters, symbols, and numbers. Try to mix the upper case and lower case. While forming a password don’t use any familiar information. And remember don’t set the same password for all your accounts.
• Try to use a secured internet connection. Set a password for your home wireless network. Always avoid using a public Wi-Fi network.
• While online shopping always visits a legitimate website. While you will be at the checkout screen, securitize whether the gateway is secure using https:// or not.
• Always update the privacy setting of your social media account.
• Don’t share your personal details with any person even though you are promised some bonus, incentive, reward or benefit. Keep your personal information safe without trusting others.
• While browsing a site always read the privacy policy. If you find anything fishy, at once leave the site.
Conclusion
In this digital world, things are changing rapidly. Be careful and follow the above tips to avoid these online frauds. These scams and frauds are mainly directed toward elderly people, as they may be credulous or sometimes inexperienced or insecure, or greedy especially when the scam involves modern technology such as computers and the internet.
