Oh, summertime! The time we get to the beach, and cybercriminals get to business. “Don’t click suspicious links”, “Don’t share your personal info online” are basics most of us have learned by now.
Cyber-scammers, however, have caught up with more sophisticated tricks.
Why is summer a hot season for phishers?
The answer lies in our behavior: During holidays, we tend to be more distracted and less vigilant.We eagerly seek quick online deals and spend much more time outside. This means we’re more likely to use random public Wi-Fi without ensuring its safety.
Cybercriminals capitalize on this rush and inattention, by launching targeted attacks. What usually looks like a suspicious kind of deal, starts to look milder amidst the noise of all the summer offers. In fact, during last summer, cybersecurity firm Norton reported a 45% increase in travel-related phishing scams. These scams often masquerade as emails or messages from reputable travel agencies, offering irresistible deals or urgent booking confirmations. And it’s not only the “too good to be true” offers that are scams. For all we know, you could be booking a flight through what appears to be a legitimate airline email. Suddenly, you’re led to a malicious website that steals your personal information.
Common types of holiday phishing scams include:
- Phishing sites: Scammers create websites and emails offering unbelievable discounts on flights and hotels. These sites look legitimate but are designed to steal your payment information.
- Phony travel alerts: Messages that appear to provide urgent travel updates or health advisories, prompting you to click on links or download attachments.
- Free Vacation Scams: Notifications claiming you’ve won a free vacation, asking for personal details to claim your prize. The aforementioned examples rely on erratic consumer behavior, and any conscientious internet user may avoid them.
- Bogus Booking Confirmations: Phishers send emails that seem to come from trusted travel companies, claiming there’s an issue with your booking. They ask for personal information to “resolve” the problem. This last kind of scenario can trap even the vigilant, as it creates a real need to open the link. So, our gut is not enough, and we can’t protect ourselves from the source. Our personal info is in jeopardy.
What if I told you that you can protect yourself even if scammers have already obtained your information? And what if your personal information wasn’t enough for a phisher to ruin your life?
We offer protection even after your information has been compromised.
FIDO2 provides a robust layer of protection against phishing scams through hardware-based security. By using a FIDO2 security key, you can add an extra level of defense to your accounts. Even if scammers manage to acquire your password, they won’t be able to access your account without the physical FIDO2 key. Many online services now support FIDO2 Authentication, making it easier than ever to secure your accounts and keep your information safe.
Phishing-Resistant Authentication: FIDO2 uses public key cryptography to ensure your credentials are never sent over the network, making it extremely difficult for phishers to intercept or fake your authentication.
Secure Your Travel Apps and Services: Make sure your travel-related apps and services support FIDO2. Enable it on booking platforms, airline apps, and hotel reservation systems for added security.
Avoid Using Public Wi-Fi for Authentication: Public Wi-Fi is less secure. If you must use it, FIDO2 provides an additional layer of security to keep your data safe.
What to Do If You Fall Victim:
- Change Your Passwords: Immediately update the passwords for any compromised accounts.
- Notify Relevant Authorities: Report the scam to your email provider, bank, or relevant institution to secure your accounts and receive guidance.
- Monitor Your Accounts: Regularly check your bank and credit card statements for unauthorized transactions.
- Educate Yourself and Others: Share your experience to raise awareness and help others avoid similar scams.
Summer holidays should be a time of relaxation, not stress over cyber threats. Stay alert, and ensure your vacation remains a happy memory. A little caution goes a long way in keeping cybercriminals at bay.