Anybody can be
a victim of the frauds perpetrated on the internet day in and day out. Even the
Delhi
Chief Minister’s daughter was duped of Rs 34,000 by an online scammer two
years ago when she was trying to sell a used sofa on the popular platform OLX. You
may belong to a powerful family which can easily access the help of the police
system, but you can be swindled easily and that too on a popular platform which
is supposed to have all sorts of security measures. The internet does not
discriminate.
Many of us are
familiar with the TV series Jamtara. You may also know that
Jamtara is another underdeveloped district of Jharkhand. A lucrative phishing
operation is what sustains the plot of the popular series. Sabka Number
Ayega, threatens the subtitle menacingly. You and I may become the victims
of some internet fraud any day. Anyone, young or old, learned or illiterate,
powerful or pedestrian… anyone can be a victim at any time. With the coming of
Artificial Intelligence, there is no escape from fraudulence. Without discrimination!
There are all
sorts of techniques and technologies for cheating us. If Jamtara
is to be believed, even our governments and the police are in collusion with
the criminals. Everybody gets a share of the money swindled. The situation is
so bizarre that the BBC produced a documentary on it titled The Trap:
Inside the blackmail scam destroying lives across India. This
documentary which exposes the online apps that cheat people by giving them
loans has already attracted lakhs of viewers.
India is
getting into a deadly trap. And it seems to be an inescapable one which does
not discriminate between people.
We are already
familiar with the old generation types of cheating. One common threat is malware, which is
malicious software that can damage or disable your computer or steal your
personal information. Malware can be spread through email attachments, infected
websites, or USB drives.
Another threat
is phishing, which is a
type of online scam where criminals attempt to trick you into revealing
sensitive information, such as your passwords or credit card numbers. Phishing
emails often appear to be from legitimate companies, such as banks or credit
card companies.
Other
common internet threats include:
·
Spam: Unsolicited and unwanted emails that
can contain malware or phishing links.
·
Spyware: Software that secretly monitors
your online activity.
·
Ransomware: Software that encrypts your
computer files and demands a ransom payment to decrypt them.
Internet
frauds can also take many forms, including:
·
Investment scams: Fraudsters promise high
returns on investments, but ultimately steal your money.
·
Online shopping scams: Fraudsters create
fake websites or sell counterfeit products.
·
Dating scams: Fraudsters create fake
profiles on dating websites to gain your trust and then steal your money or
identity.
·
Charity scams: Fraudsters create fake
charities to solicit donations.
How to protect yourself from internet threats and
frauds
There are a
number of things you can do to protect yourself from internet threats and
frauds:
·
Keep your software up to date. Software updates
often include security patches that can help protect you from malware.
·
Be careful about what emails you open and what
attachments you download. If you are not expecting an email, do not open it.
And if you are not sure whether an attachment is safe, do not download it.
·
Use strong passwords and enable two-factor
authentication whenever possible.
·
Be careful about what websites you visit and what
information you enter online. Only visit trusted websites and avoid entering
sensitive information on public computers.
·
Be wary of unsolicited investment opportunities
and online shopping deals. If something sounds too good to be true, it probably
is.
·
Do your research before donating to charities.
Make sure the charity is legitimate and that your donation will be used for its
intended purpose.
Conclusion
The
internet is a powerful tool, but it is important to be aware of the threats and
frauds that exist online. Let us keep ourselves safe from the potential
dangers. Let us take necessary precautions.
In
addition to the above, here are some additional tips to help protect yourself
from internet threats and frauds:
·
Use a firewall and antivirus software: A
firewall can help protect your computer from unauthorized access, while
antivirus software can help detect and remove malware. Happinetz Box is a useful technology in this
regard especially if you have children at home using the internet.
· Be careful about what you share on social media: Avoid sharing personal information, such as your address, phone number, or date of birth, on social media.
·
Be suspicious of unsolicited messages: If you
receive a message from someone you don't know, think twice before clicking on any
links or attachments in the message.
·
Report suspicious activity: If you
suspect that you have been the victim of an internet threat or fraud, report it
to the authorities.
PS. Related
Post: Save
Children from the Net
This post is a
part of Happinetz
- Internet Does Not Discriminate
Hari OM
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