Email scams are becoming more sophisticated, making it even more important to always be vigilant and careful when navigating your inbox. Ken, a CyberGuy Report newsletter subscriber from Battle Creek, Michigan, shares his experience with a phishing email scam.
“I keep getting messages from Facebook saying ‘Something has happened since my last visit. You have 3 notifications. Please sign in to view them.'” — Ken, Battle Creek, Michigan
If Ken receives an email like the one described above, it should be treated with caution. While they may turn out to be legitimate, they can also be easily imitated by fraudsters. If you click on that email, you may see a page like the one below, so we recommend that you do not click on it.Appearance like facebook. Instead, visit the Facebook homepage in your browser or app and log in with your username and password.
Find out what to avoid in phishing emails and how to further protect yourself.
Be careful when looking at emails claiming to be from Facebook. (CyberGuy.com)
Why shouldn’t I rely entirely on social media notifications via email?
Many of us have social media accounts through platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Threads. When you log into these sites, you typically receive notifications within the app or website whenever you get updates such as new followers or likes on posts. These notifications are primarily delivered through the app or website, but some platforms may also give you the option to receive email notifications about certain activities and events. Scammers know this and sometimes send emails that look like official email notifications.
What steps can be taken to avoid and defend against such phishing scams?
There is no way to completely stop scammers from sending these emails. However, there are steps you can take and services that can warn you if you encounter fraud. Here are some suggestions from me.
Enable spam filtering
Most email service providers offer built-in spam filters that automatically detect suspicious emails and sort them into spam or junk folders. Make sure to enable these filters to reduce the number of fraudulent emails reaching your inbox. Here are some tips to stay ahead of spammers and stop junk mail.
Verify your email address and domain
Do you really need help from Facebook? Don’t fall for this scam
Scammers often use email addresses that mimic legitimate companies and organizations such as Facebook. Double-check the sender’s email address and verify the domain to make sure it matches the official website or known business or personal contact details.
Please be careful about urgent requests
Scammers often create a sense of urgency and trick you into taking immediate action. Beware of emails claiming to have received notifications such as that you have won a prize, have an outstanding claim, or urgently need to provide personal information.
Please verify the genuineness of such requests before responding to or providing confidential information.
Enable two-step verification
Securing your account with two-step verification (also known as two-factor authentication or 2FA) is an effective way to add an extra layer of security to your account.
Check your credit and bank accounts regularly
Solid steps to protect your Facebook account from hackers
Some people use Facebook to pay via Meta Pay. Meta Pay requires a debit or credit card connected to your account. While this is a useful feature, it also exposes your banking information to the risk of being compromised.
Check your bank and credit card accounts regularly so that you can quickly spot any unauthorized transactions and notify your bank or credit card company.
Before trusting random email messages, you should first verify the sender, as phishing email scams may try to trick you into believing that there is a fee you need to pay or that your credit or debit card has been used for something.
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Facebook warns of new email scam targeting Apple users
Actively run antivirus software on all devices
The best way to protect yourself from data breaches is to install antivirus protection on all your devices. Having good antivirus software installed can prevent hackers from getting into your device. Having antivirus software on your device will definitely stop you from clicking on malicious links that can install malware on your device and give hackers access to your private information.
See my expert review. best antivirus protection For Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS devices, go to: CyberGuy.com/LockUpYourTech.
Report Phishing Activity
If you receive a phishing email, report it to your email service provider. Most providers have mechanisms in place to identify and block malicious senders. Additionally, you can report phishing attempts to organizations such as the Anti-Phishing Working Group (APWG) and the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).
Don’t fall for the ‘look who’s dead’ Facebook message trap
Cart key points
Unfortunately, email scams are becoming more sophisticated, so we need to be more vigilant and vigilant. It is important to avoid logging in through email notifications and visit official websites or apps to check notifications.
Fraud can be further prevented by taking measures such as enabling spam filters, validating email addresses, being mindful of urgent requests, using a secure password manager, checking credit and bank accounts regularly, installing antivirus software on all devices, and reporting phishing attempts. Be proactive in protecting your online security.
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