Cybercriminal Threats

Cyber threats of any kind are a continuous risk. Various types of malware exist and we want to inform you of these rising threats and also how to protect yourself from them. Over the next two days we will continue to inform you about various threats.

Text-message malware: Smartphone viruses exist, but even more popular is text message spam. Hackers have moved onto attacking mobile devices. This works the same way as it would on a computer—downloading a picture or opening an attachment can install malware on the device. Usually this can charge you per message and even start buying ringtones. You may even receive an invite to download an app for free Internet access, but really will then send text messages from your phone that you will be charged a hefty fee for. Businesses may want to enforce policies that limit who employees can text using company phones.

Social network account spoofing: As the popularity of social networking continues to rise, this makes us more susceptible to scams. Hackers can pose as a friend and trick you into revealing personal information. This could ultimately lead to something serious like identity theft. Social networks provide a new means for con artists and criminals to get close to you. Platforms like Facebook allow hackers to see your interests, which further streamlines their research on how to retrieve information from you. Be sure to look for faulty links or URLs, as shown in the image below.If you click the picture, you will see that the address includes a spelling error.