Read our tips on how to protect yourself against online scams.
2-minute read
Every year, online scamsbecome more prevalent. However, with a few mindful practices, you can prevent fraud and keep your accounts safe. Here are some tips to protect yourself.
1. Use extreme caution before sending money to someone you have never met in person
Conduct extensive, independent research of a person or company if you are only dealing with them online. If you initiate a monetary transaction, you will most likely not be able to recover the money.
2. Gift cards are never an authorized type of payment, unless you are going shopping
If someone initiates contact with you and requests payment in the form of pre-paid gift cards, it is most definitely fraud.
3. Be cautious when accepting checks from anyone related to an online contact
A criminal may send you a check to deposit and then ask you to return some of the money by money transfer. The check will likely turn out to be fake, leaving you with a loss.
4. If the offer seems too good to be true, it probably is
Be especially cautious if you have a feeling that something seems unusual or suspicious. Listen to your intuition.
5. If you are posting personal information online, check the security and privacy settings of the websites
Personal information includes résumés and online profiles. You should be able to control these to limit access to your personal details. In general, try to minimize the amount of personal information you post online. Always be careful with whom you connect on any social networking site.
Keep online passwords secure
Use different passwords for different websites.
Choose strong passwords that combine letters, numbers, and special characters.
Do not write down your passwords where they can be easily found.
Do not share your passwords.
Change passwords often.
Consider password managers.
Further reading
You can further protect your access to secure sites by setting up two-factor authentication and avoiding logging in from public spaces or using public Wi-Fi.
Never reveal personal information, such as address, phone number, or school name or location. Use only a screen name and don't share passwords (other than with parents). Never agree to get together in person with anyone met online without parent approval and/or supervision.
Never give out your email address to someone you don't know. Never open emails from people or organisations/businesses you don't know. Emails can contain all sorts of bad stuff, like hoaxes and chain mail scams that try to get your money. Computer viruses can be carried as attachments to email messages.
Check if you've already been involved in a data breach. Visit haveibeenpwned.com and change those passwords for any accounts that it suggests may have been compromised.
Just as you pay attention to your surroundings and valuables when walking around “in the real world,” it is crucial to protect yourself online as well. Criminals are constantly finding new ways to manipulate and trick people into handing over sensitive information and, in some cases, even extort them.
An important step in improving online safety at your school is identifying what the potential risks might be. KCSIE groups online safety risks into four areas: content, contact, conduct and commerce (sometimes referred to as contract). These are known as the 4 Cs of online safety.
If you receive regular online safety training you will (or should) be acquainted with the 3C's which are content, contact and conduct. These are by far the easiest way of understanding the vast range of online risks and issues.
' Let us start by helping our kids develop four critical skills – the 4Rs of online safety: Respect– I treat myself and others the way I like to be treated. Responsibility – I am accountable for my actions and I take a stand when I feel something is wrong. Reasoning – I question what is real.
Introduction: My name is Geoffrey Lueilwitz, I am a zealous, encouraging, sparkling, enchanting, graceful, faithful, nice person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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