Summer, sun and online scammers
Soon there will be some nice vacation weeks for many of us. But the fraudsters do not take time off. Unfortunately, summer is the peak season for online fraud and fraudulent e-mails. Fake invoices and fraud attempts via text messages and phone calls are common.
The fraudsters know that we are sometimes in a hurry before and during the holiday season and take advantage of this in various fraud attempts. It is important not to lower your guard.
Here is some simple advice that we have also included in our online training courses in information security:
Stop and think
Is the email credible? Are you expecting an invoice of this kind? Be skeptical of emails that seem suspicious, even if the sender's name is familiar. Text message and phone scams have also become more common.
Be vigilant against phishing
- Phishing emails and malicious links are common. The IT department blocks most things, but sometimes phishing emails slip by. This is an effective way to steal login credentials. Especially if we are in a hurry, we can forget to be careful.
- Targeted fraud attempts, so-called "Spear Phishing", are becoming more common and difficult to see through because they are tailored and based on information about the organization and the person they are targeting.
Report incidents
Help by reporting incidents that occur. This allows us to learn more and improve our protective measures.
Throughout 2024, the emails will continue with the short features on information security.
Summer greetings from the information security function at KI.