While the internet is touted as a means of connecting people all over the world, it also makes it extremely easy for criminals to access your personal information. Many types of internet frauds are conducted with the goal of accessing funds electronically, which can clean out your bank account before you know it. To protect yourself, FBI.gov offers the following information on common types of internet fraud.
Have you ever received an email from a seemingly legitimate business with a request for your social security number or bank account info? If so, you may have been a victim of a fishing scheme, during which a scam artist forges an email, so it looks like it originated with an official entity, such as a business. Spoofing is often used in conjunction with fishing, and in this case, you would be directed to a fraudulent website made to look legitimate. Always check before responding to unsolicited email correspondence by sending a message to the company directly.
Data breaches are a common concern in the workplace, but they can also occur on a personal level with your home computer. Data breaches can sometimes be as simple as figuring out a person’s password, although sometimes they involve more complicated methods. When it comes to your personal computer, make sure your password is composed of letters, numbers and special characters. You can also change your password frequently to prevent breaches.
If you have an eCommerce site, you may also be the victim of a denial of service attack. These attacks involve a great influx of traffic that disrupts service to your website. These attacks happen for many different reasons. They can be politically motivated, based on a personal vendetta, or have some other underlying malicious intent.
