Mobile devices and digital platforms have led to us living in a more interconnected and technological world and, as a result, has brought to the forefront the discussion of the challenges and challenges in cybersecurity. More and more users have suffered an attack or financial scam through the Internet, so protecting themselves against these threats is essential for today’s society.
The cybercriminals are constantly developing new and sophisticated ways to access our personal data, bank accounts or other sensitive data and anyone can fall for these scams. In order to deal with these attacks, it is necessary to be informed and take some precautions simple precautions to navigate the digital world safely.
- THE MOST COMMON CYBERATTACKS: HOW CAN YOU BE FOOLED?
- TIPS AND TRICKS TO AVOID FALLING FOR A CYBERATTACK
- HAVE YOU BEEN A VICTIM OF FRAUD? ACT FAST
THE MOST COMMON CYBER-ATTACKS: HOW CAN YOU BE FOOLED?
Knowing how to identify the type of attack we have received is the first step to avoid falling into the trap. Although each type of attack has its own characteristics and methods, they all share a common goal: to gain access to your personal and banking information. These are some of the cyberattacks most common:
PhishingPhishing: this is one of the most common methods of cyber-attack. Through fake emails impersonating the bank, attackers send links to fake websites to steal data. To gain the victim’s trust, they use excuses such as “unlock account” or “activate new security”.
Smishingsimilar to phishing, but the fake link is sent via SMS or WhatsApp. They are usually messages posing as acquaintances or relatives of the victims.
VishingIn this case, the deception is carried out through a phone call. The attackers identify themselves as employees of a financial institution and use previously obtained personal information to gain the victim’s trust. In this way, they get the user to reveal their own data.
SIM SwapSIM Swap: cybercriminals make a duplicate SIM card without the victim’s knowledge. Thus, they have access to the messages received, both personal and transaction authentication messages.
MalwareMalware: this is malicious software that is introduced into computers or cell phones to take control of their functions. Through it, cybercriminals can capture data from financial apps, as well as divert SMS.
Ransomware: a type of malware that attacks a computer, hijacks the information and asks for a payment to recover the data.
TIPS AND TRICKS TO AVOID FALLING INTO A CYBERATTACK.
The prevention is the best defense against cyber-attacks. There are several effective strategies that can be applied in a very simple way to strengthen your online security.
The first of these is to never give out your banking passwords and to be wary of any communication (e-mail, letter, telephone or SMS) that asks for your access codes and/or digital banking signature, since your bank will never ask you for them in these ways. If you receive such a message, it is important not to click on it and delete it immediately. However, if you do so by mistake, avoid giving or typing any type of personal password.
On the other hand, it is recommended that you access your digital banking securely by typing the web address manually in the browser. This is the most reliable way to access your financial manager. It is important that you never access through links received in external messages. In that sense, you can also activate the notifications and alerts of your banking application so that it notifies you of every movement. This way you will be able to quickly detect any suspicious operation.
Another recommendation is to be careful when connecting to public networks, especially when banking on open WIFIs, as the connection could be intercepted. It is also essential to keep your devices protected with a good antivirus.
In addition to all these prevention methods, the biggest shield against hackers is double authentication. This system adds an extra layer of security to the login or transaction authorization process, making it much more difficult for cybercriminals to access your accounts, even if they were to get your password.
Although it may seem somewhat cumbersome, banks are already implementing dual verification systems where, in addition to your card, you will need to confirm that it is you through a digital banking password, a code sent by SMS to your cell phone, or facial or fingerprint recognition.
HAVE YOU BEEN A VICTIM OF FRAUD? ACT FAST
Despite all precautions, there is always the possibility of falling victim to a cyberattack. If this happens, it is crucial to act quickly and decisively, as every minute counts when it comes to minimizing damage and protecting your finances. Here are the steps to follow if you suspect you have been hacked:
- Check your bank transactions immediately.
- If your cell phone is acting strange, contact your operator. They could have duplicated your SIM.
- Call your bank and block your accounts and cards.
- Do not access your online banking from the affected device.
- File a police report. Every detail counts.
In short, financial cybersecurity has become a fundamental pillar of our digital lives. The rise of mobile technologies and online platforms has brought with it countless benefits, but it has also opened the door to new threats. The key to addressing these challenges is prevention so that we can enjoy the technological advantages without compromising our security.
This is a tip from Ibercaja’s Financial Education program in collaboration with Funcas. Financial culture for everyone. More information on the website of Ibercaja Foundation.