BEWARE OF THESE BRAND-NEW THREATS FROM THE CYBERSPHERE

Technology has transformed our lives. With the arrival of the internet and the concomitant tech advancements (Cryptos, IoT, etc.), life has never been easier.

- Gabriel Pe

Technology has made it convenient to work remotely, to stay connected with one another, to stay healthy, and many more.

But over the years, our reliance on the convenience of the internet has spun a darker side bent on utilizing the system to commit criminal acts. Over the years, cyber threats have risen to not only take data but even injure us physically. Here are some of the brand-new threats targeting our safety.

SMISHING AND PHISHING

We’ve covered phishing in earlier issues of GADGETS Magazine. Phishing schemes are some of the older tricks in the book, but don’t let your guard down. Reports have indicated a rise in phishing attacks during the pandemic. Additionally, these attacks have been getting more and more elaborate, with cyber criminals having access to more sophisticated methods.

Phishing is an activity where cybercriminals send emails that contain a link directing victims to a fake website. These are usually familiar websites where you typically provide sensitive information such as your bank’s website or your favorite shopping website’s login page. They can get your email address, password, and other login credentials. After gathering your credentials, the criminals will then use the information to access your account on a legitimate website.

Smishing is the same as phishing but this time, attackers are using the SMS protocol to send fraudulent links with worrisome messages to encourage victims to not think twice about the website they’re accessing.