Internet does not discriminate

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