Introduction
The new year is here, and with it comes a whole bunch of new things to do. Of course, one of these new things is going to be ringing in the New Year by getting together with friends and family throughout the country. It's also an excellent time to make sure you're staying safe online while everyone else is out celebrating their favorite holiday traditions. Because who doesn't love keeping themselves entertained on New Year's Eve? That's why we've put together this guide to help you stay safe during the cyber crime season!
Image by FreepikWhat is the new year, cyber crime season?
The new year, cyber crime season is the time of year when cyber criminals are more active. During this time they use the holiday season to trick people into giving away personal information or opening malicious files.
The new year, cyber crime season runs from November through January and can last up to six months depending on where you live.
How to be ready and prepared for the New Year, Cyber Crime Season?
It is important to be aware of what is going on around you. This includes your surroundings and devices, as well as online activity.
It is also important to know that personal information can be stolen in many ways, including through phishing scams or malware attacks. You should take steps to protect yourself against these types of attacks by using two-factor authentication (2FA), which requires both a password and an additional code before accessing your account or sensitive information like banking details or credit card numbers.
You should keep track of the passwords used for all accounts that contain sensitive information such as bank accounts, social media accounts and email addresses so that if someone were to gain access they would not have access beyond those specific passwords
Pay Extra Attention During The Holiday Season.
The holiday season is a time of increased cyber crime. Scams are more common during this time, and people are more likely to be distracted and less vigilant than they would be at other times of the year. Scammers take advantage of this heightened activity by sending emails that appear legitimate but contain malicious links or attachments, or by spoofing domains used by legitimate companies in order to trick users into downloading malware onto their computers. Examples of scams that are more common during this time include fake checks sent via email; fake job offers; requests for personal information such as Social Security numbers, bank account numbers and passwords; phishing attempts (where someone sends you an email claiming it's from your employer asking you to confirm personal details before accessing company resources); pharming scams (where criminals send emails pretending they have been sent by your pharmacy requesting payment); text message scams involving unsolicited messages that ask for sensitive financial information such as credit card numbers or bank account numbers
Create a strong password and keep it safe!
- Use a password manager.
- Create a strong password and keep it safe!
- If you have to choose between using multiple passwords for different sites, don't do it. It's best to use one master password that can be used across all your online accounts, including social media and banking sites. Make sure this is not something easy for anyone else in the world - remember: no one should know what your personal information is!
Beware of public Wi-Fi.
Public Wi-Fi is not secure. If you are using a VPN, then you can use public Wi-Fi without worrying about data or identity theft. But if you're not using a VPN and still want to connect to the Internet via a public connection, be sure to do so at your own risk—and only when it's absolutely necessary.
You may also consider purchasing an external hard drive that has 256-bit encryption built into its hardware (this type of drive is called "military grade"). This will keep your data safe from hackers who try to crack into it by using brute force attacks against their passwords or other means like man-in-the middle attacks (MITM).
Secure your online transactions.
The most important thing you can do to stay safe online during the new year is to secure your online transactions. You should use a credit card instead of a debit card and make sure it offers fraud protection. If you're using a debit card, check with your bank to see if they have any special offers for this season. Keep track of your credit card statements and be aware of phishing scams (scams where criminals send out fake emails asking for personal information). Never give out personal information over the phone or email!
Steer clear of phishing scams.
If you've been on the internet for any length of time, you've likely come across a phishing scam. Phishing schemes are designed to trick people into entering their personal information into an email or website that looks like it's from a legitimate company. The goal is to steal your identity and money—and most people don't realize they've been scammed until it's too late.
Here are some tips on how to stay safe:
- Don't click links in emails, text messages or social media post messages unless you know who sent them and what they're asking for. This can include things like resetting passwords or transferring funds from one account over another (which could be dangerous if done by someone other than yourself).
- Report suspicious activity immediately through our reporting form at [link] so we can investigate further!
Don't click on links within an email or text message from unknown senders.
- Don't click on links within an email or text message from unknown senders.
- If you do, don't enter any information or download programs.
- Don't open attachments in emails—or at all unless it's from someone you know and trust.
- If you receive a message asking for your personal information, do not provide it!
Be sure to log out.
Logging out of your account is important because it stops a hacker from being able to access your account. If you log out, then no one can use your password or other information on the website.
When logging out, make sure that you don't leave any personal information visible in the logout box like an email address or phone number. You should also try not to use any words that are similar in spelling or pronunciation to words used by hackers when they try to gain entry into their accounts (for example: "password" instead of "people").
Make sure your device is secure with a mobile security app like Avast Mobile Security for Android or AVG AntiVirus for iOS (free).
- Avast Mobile Security for Android
- AVG AntiVirus for iOS (free)
Conclusion
The New Year, Cyber Crime Season is here. To stay safe and secure during this time, make sure your device is secure with a mobile security app like Avast Mobile Security for Android or AVG AntiVirus for iOS (free).
