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Email users urged to follow 5 rules this month as August is 'prime time' for scams
Email users urged to follow 5 rules this month as August is 'prime time' for scams

Daily Record

time16 hours ago

  • Daily Record

Email users urged to follow 5 rules this month as August is 'prime time' for scams

A security firm has shared five tips to keep you and your money safe amid a new cyber threat warning. Everyone who actively uses an email account is being urged to remain on high alert this month as a new warning has been has been revealed that the month of August is a prime time for hackers to attack unsuspecting victims. ‌ There is a belief that people let their guard down more during the summer months. Because of this, scammers double down their efforts in order to con more people into releasing their personal information. ‌ UK-based IT security firm FoxTech says that summer is the riskiest time of the year as scammers find new ways to steal money while people are enjoying a much needed break and have taken their eye ever so slightly off the ball, reports the Mirror. ‌ And no matter if you have a Gmail, Yahoo, or Outlook account, users have been urged to follow five simple tips to help protect their account and personal data from sneaky cyber crooks. Speaking about the scam fears, FoxTech explained: "Scammers are fully aware that summer is a time when many people naturally relax their guard, whether they're caught up in the excitement of booking a last-minute getaway or simply waiting on a steady stream of online orders to arrive. "Inboxes become crowded with enticing offers and seemingly routine updates, which is precisely what cyber criminals are counting on to slip past our usual caution." ‌ With this influx of enticing emails, account holders need to remember to remain cautious about any emails they receive, which includes not clicking any links or replying to messages if they are unsure of who has sent them. FoxTech added: "Taking just a little extra time to examine the links you're clicking on or to verify who has actually sent a message can ultimately prevent what might otherwise turn into weeks of stress, financial loss and disruption. ‌ "People could find themselves paying hundreds or even thousands of pounds for trips that simply don't exist, only to realise they've handed over sensitive personal and payment details to organised cybercriminals." While many people may believe they wouldn't fall for a holiday scam, it is important to remember that hackers have also been stealing financial and personal data from their victims for years through delivery texts and emails. ‌ With so many people ordering clothing, tech and household items online, it is very easy for scammers to confuse victims by sending false delivery messages while they are already waiting on a package. These emails and texts usually suggest that a delivery has been missed and in order to have it sent out again customers will need to pay a small fee. ‌ The team at FoxTech warned: "Scams are evolving rapidly, and what might look like a harmless deal or a routine delivery text could end up draining your bank account or exposing your personal data. "Taking a few extra seconds to verify a message can spare you weeks of stress and financial headaches." For those worried about falling victim to a scam and having their data stolen, FoxTech has shared five useful tips to follow to keep you and those around you safe. Five useful tips to protect against scams Double-check before clicking links: Always hover over links to see where they really lead, and be cautious of any message that tries to rush you into taking action. Verify delivery updates directly: If you get a text about a parcel, go straight to the courier's official website instead of clicking the link. Research travel deals properly: Check independent reviews, confirm website contact details, and make sure it's the official booking platform before paying. Keep boarding passes private: Never post travel documents online — that barcode contains more personal information than most people realise. Use multi-factor authentication: Adding a second step to logins protects your accounts even if your password does get stolen. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.

Everyone with a Gmail or Yahoo account must follow 5 new rules this month
Everyone with a Gmail or Yahoo account must follow 5 new rules this month

Daily Mirror

time20 hours ago

  • Daily Mirror

Everyone with a Gmail or Yahoo account must follow 5 new rules this month

A new warning has been issued in August with scam emails expected to boom during the summer months. Anyone with a Yahoo, Gmail or Outlook account needs to be on high alert this month. It appears that August is a prime time to get scammed and ignoring 5 useful tips could leave some seriously out of pocket. ‌ That's according to UK-based IT security firm FoxTech, which says summer is the riskiest month of the year as cyber crooks try to cash in as people head away for that all-important break or simply take their eye off the ball as they relax. ‌ Explaining more, FoxTech said: 'Scammers are fully aware that summer is a time when many people naturally relax their guard, whether they're caught up in the excitement of booking a last-minute getaway or simply waiting on a steady stream of online orders to arrive.' ‌ 'Inboxes become crowded with enticing offers and seemingly routine updates, which is precisely what cybercriminals are counting on to slip past our usual caution." With that in mind, it's now vital to stay alert and not click on any links or reply to messages without taking time to check that things are real. "Taking just a little extra time to examine the links you're clicking on or to verify who has actually sent a message can ultimately prevent what might otherwise turn into weeks of stress, financial loss and disruption," Foxtech added. ‌ 'People could find themselves paying hundreds or even thousands of pounds for trips that simply don't exist, only to realise they've handed over sensitive personal and payment details to organised cybercriminals." Along with holiday scams, it's always good to be reminded about the usual bogus delivery texts and emails. These often suggest that a delivery has been missed, and a small fee is needed to get things sent out again. ‌ 'Scams are evolving rapidly, and what might look like a harmless deal or a routine delivery text could end up draining your bank account or exposing your personal data,' the team at Foxtech added. 'Taking a few extra seconds to verify a message can spare you weeks of stress and financial headaches.' If you have an inbox that is overflowing with messages. Here are 5 rules that FoxTech says can help to keep you and your data safe • Double-check before clicking links: Always hover over links to see where they really lead, and be cautious of any message that tries to rush you into taking action. ‌ • Verify delivery updates directly: If you get a text about a parcel, go straight to the courier's official website instead of clicking the link. • Research travel deals properly: Check independent reviews, confirm website contact details, and make sure it's the official booking platform before paying. • Keep boarding passes private: Never post travel documents online — that barcode contains more personal information than most people realise. • Use multi-factor authentication: Adding a second step to logins protects your accounts even if your password does get stolen.

Gmail account holders need to follow 5 rules to avoid potentially losing thousands of pounds & causing ‘weeks of stress'
Gmail account holders need to follow 5 rules to avoid potentially losing thousands of pounds & causing ‘weeks of stress'

The Irish Sun

time4 days ago

  • The Irish Sun

Gmail account holders need to follow 5 rules to avoid potentially losing thousands of pounds & causing ‘weeks of stress'

Extra time spent checking could save you far more in the long-run EMAIL ALERT Gmail account holders need to follow 5 rules to avoid potentially losing thousands of pounds & causing 'weeks of stress' GMAIL account holders need to follow five rules to avoid potentially losing thousands of pounds & causing 'weeks of stress'. The summer months are full of ice-cream, outings, staycations and holidays, but it means people are more likely have their guard down. 7 Google account holders are warned to take five steps Credit: Getty 7 Scammers are more active in the summer months as Brits are caught off gaurd Credit: Getty IT Security firm FoxTech have warned that some Brits may be at risk of potentially losing thousands of pounds. With the rise of artificial intelligence, scammers are using more realistic ways to catch people into being scammed. The team at the company explained: "Scammers are fully aware that summer is a time when many people naturally relax their guard. "Whether they're caught up in the excitement of booking a last-minute getaway or simply waiting on a steady stream of online orders to arrive. 'Inboxes become crowded with enticing offers and seemingly routine updates, which is precisely what cybercriminals are counting on to slip past our usual caution." They have provided five ways in which you could avoid a terrible summer and have maximum enjoyment of the delights of summer. Double-check before clicking 7 Yoiu can take steps to make sure you don't click on phishing sites Credit: Getty You must always hover over links to see where they really lead. Some links might be phishing emails which aim to steal your data through what looks like an urgent message. It is advised that you should be as cautious as possible of any message that is trying to rush you into taking action. The team at FoxTech advised: "Inboxes become crowded with enticing offers and seemingly routine updates, which is precisely what cybercriminals are counting on to slip past our usual caution. AI tricks to beat scammers as scam texts, calls and emails surge "Taking just a little extra time to examine the links you're clicking on or to verify who has actually sent a message can ultimately prevent what might otherwise turn into weeks of stress, financial loss and disruption." Delivery updates 7 Ever received a parcel delivery text? It might be fake Credit: Getty It is advised that you should verify delivery updates directly with any provider. Many users get texts or messages about alleged delivery parcels, but these may be fake. However, instead of clicking the link you should go to the courier's official website itself to check for updates. How to spot a dodgy app Detecting a malicious app before you hit the 'Download' button is easy when you know the signs. Follow this eight-point checklist when you're downloading an app you're unsure about: Check the reviews - be wary of both complaints and uniformly positive reviews by fake accounts. Look out for grammar mistakes - legitimate app developers won't have typos or errors in their app descriptions. Check the number of downloads - avoid apps with only several thousand downloads, as it could be fake. Research the developer - do they have a good reputation? Or, are totally fake? Check the release date - a recent release date paired with a high number of downloads is usually bad news. Review the permission agreement - this agreement gives permission for the app to take bits of your data, and fake apps often ask for additional data that is not necessary. Check the update frequency - an app that is updated too frequently is usually indicative of security vulnerabilities. Check the icon - look closely, and don't be deceived by distorted, lower-quality versions the icons from legitimate apps. All of this information will available in both Apple's App Store and the Google Play Store. Foxtech added: "Scams are evolving rapidly, and what might look like a harmless deal or a routine delivery text could end up draining your bank account or exposing your personal data. "Taking a few extra seconds to verify a message can spare you weeks of stress and financial headaches." Research travel deals 7 Make sure you check the legitimacy of travel deals directly with providers Credit: Getty Have you ever thought something is too good to be true? Well that's because maybe it is! Scammers like to entice you to click onto harmful links, and one of the ways they do so is through fake travel advert deals. People could find themselves paying hundreds or even thousands of pounds for trips that simply don't exist The team at FoxTech You are advised to check independent reviews of providers and to make sure you confirm website contact details before clicking on anything. Many users are also advised to make sure you are making a booking through an official platform before you pay. The IT firm warned: "People could find themselves paying hundreds or even thousands of pounds for trips that simply don't exist, only to realise they've handed over sensitive personal and payment details to organised cybercriminals." Boarding passes. 7 The barcode on your boarding pass contains personal information Credit: Getty A nightmare scenario, you board a plane and someone is sitting in your seat. To avoid this, you should never post travel documents online, which includes boarding passes. Make sure to keep your tickets private because the barcode on the ticket may contain personal information. What is phishing? HERE's what you need to know: Phishing is a type of online fraud It's typically an attempt to nab some of your data Phishing generally involves scammers posing as a trustworthy entity For instance, fraudsters could send you an email claiming to be your bank, asking for details Scammers can also set up fake websites that look like real ones, simply to hoodwink you Phishing can take place over email, social media, texts, phone calls and more The best defence against phishing is to be generally sceptical of weblinks and emails, especially if they were unsolicited Multi-factor authentication 7 Spend extra time securing your account by setting up multi-factor authentication Credit: Getty A second step of security can never hurt! If you use multi-factor authentication, this will add extra protection to your account. Even if your password does get stolen, this extra layer of verification makes things harder for scammers to access your account.

Gmail account holders need to follow 5 rules to avoid potentially losing thousands of pounds & causing ‘weeks of stress'
Gmail account holders need to follow 5 rules to avoid potentially losing thousands of pounds & causing ‘weeks of stress'

The Sun

time4 days ago

  • The Sun

Gmail account holders need to follow 5 rules to avoid potentially losing thousands of pounds & causing ‘weeks of stress'

GMAIL account holders need to follow five rules to avoid potentially losing thousands of pounds & causing 'weeks of stress'. The summer months are full of ice-cream, outings, staycations and holidays, but it means people are more likely have their guard down. 7 7 IT Security firm FoxTech have warned that some Brits may be at risk of potentially losing thousands of pounds. With the rise of artificial intelligence, scammers are using more realistic ways to catch people into being scammed. The team at the company explained: "Scammers are fully aware that summer is a time when many people naturally relax their guard. "Whether they're caught up in the excitement of booking a last-minute getaway or simply waiting on a steady stream of online orders to arrive. 'Inboxes become crowded with enticing offers and seemingly routine updates, which is precisely what cybercriminals are counting on to slip past our usual caution." They have provided five ways in which you could avoid a terrible summer and have maximum enjoyment of the delights of summer. Double-check before clicking 7 You must always hover over links to see where they really lead. Some links might be phishing emails which aim to steal your data through what looks like an urgent message. It is advised that you should be as cautious as possible of any message that is trying to rush you into taking action. The team at FoxTech advised: "Inboxes become crowded with enticing offers and seemingly routine updates, which is precisely what cybercriminals are counting on to slip past our usual caution. AI tricks to beat scammers as scam texts, calls and emails surge "Taking just a little extra time to examine the links you're clicking on or to verify who has actually sent a message can ultimately prevent what might otherwise turn into weeks of stress, financial loss and disruption." Delivery updates 7 It is advised that you should verify delivery updates directly with any provider. Many users get texts or messages about alleged delivery parcels, but these may be fake. However, instead of clicking the link you should go to the courier's official website itself to check for updates. How to spot a dodgy app Detecting a malicious app before you hit the 'Download' button is easy when you know the signs. Follow this eight-point checklist when you're downloading an app you're unsure about: Check the reviews - be wary of both complaints and uniformly positive reviews by fake accounts. Look out for grammar mistakes - legitimate app developers won't have typos or errors in their app descriptions. Check the number of downloads - avoid apps with only several thousand downloads, as it could be fake. Research the developer - do they have a good reputation? Or, are totally fake? Check the release date - a recent release date paired with a high number of downloads is usually bad news. Review the permission agreement - this agreement gives permission for the app to take bits of your data, and fake apps often ask for additional data that is not necessary. Check the update frequency - an app that is updated too frequently is usually indicative of security vulnerabilities. Check the icon - look closely, and don't be deceived by distorted, lower-quality versions the icons from legitimate apps. All of this information will available in both Apple's App Store and the Google Play Store. Foxtech added: "Scams are evolving rapidly, and what might look like a harmless deal or a routine delivery text could end up draining your bank account or exposing your personal data. "Taking a few extra seconds to verify a message can spare you weeks of stress and financial headaches." Research travel deals 7 Have you ever thought something is too good to be true? Well that's because maybe it is! Scammers like to entice you to click onto harmful links, and one of the ways they do so is through fake travel advert deals. People could find themselves paying hundreds or even thousands of pounds for trips that simply don't exist The team at FoxTech You are advised to check independent reviews of providers and to make sure you confirm website contact details before clicking on anything. Many users are also advised to make sure you are making a booking through an official platform before you pay. The IT firm warned: "People could find themselves paying hundreds or even thousands of pounds for trips that simply don't exist, only to realise they've handed over sensitive personal and payment details to organised cybercriminals." Boarding passes. 7 A nightmare scenario, you board a plane and someone is sitting in your seat. To avoid this, you should never post travel documents online, which includes boarding passes. Make sure to keep your tickets private because the barcode on the ticket may contain personal information. What is phishing? HERE's what you need to know: Phishing is a type of online fraud It's typically an attempt to nab some of your data Phishing generally involves scammers posing as a trustworthy entity For instance, fraudsters could send you an email claiming to be your bank, asking for details Scammers can also set up fake websites that look like real ones, simply to hoodwink you Phishing can take place over email, social media, texts, phone calls and more The best defence against phishing is to be generally sceptical of weblinks and emails, especially if they were unsolicited Multi-factor authentication 7 A second step of security can never hurt! If you use multi-factor authentication, this will add extra protection to your account. Even if your password does get stolen, this extra layer of verification makes things harder for scammers to access your account.

Gmail account holders told to follow five rules to avoid 'weeks of stress'
Gmail account holders told to follow five rules to avoid 'weeks of stress'

Irish Daily Mirror

time4 days ago

  • Irish Daily Mirror

Gmail account holders told to follow five rules to avoid 'weeks of stress'

Most people in the world have some form of email account. Many have multiple email accounts between personal, joint and work. It's part of the modern world - people like to keep in touch with old friends, receive confirmation of bookings or just quickly contact a colleague. But email scams continue to run rampant and they are only getting more sophisticated as fraudsters up their game to counteract users' incredulity. Whether it's Gmail, Hotmail, Outlook, Yahoo or any of the more obscure email services, scammers often use such communication services to trick more gullible account holders, The Express reports. An IT security company based in the UK has issued a jarring warning of the increase in email scams at this time of year, with experts revealing that July and August tend to be the riskiest months of the year. Gmail on App Store is seen in this illustration photo (Photo by Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto via Getty Images) "Scammers are fully aware that summer is a time when many people naturally relax their guard, whether they're caught up in the excitement of booking a last-minute getaway or simply waiting on a steady stream of online orders to arrive," the team at FoxTech said. "Inboxes become crowded with enticing offers and seemingly routine updates, which is precisely what cybercriminals are counting on to slip past our usual caution. Taking just a little extra time to examine the links you're clicking on or to verify who has actually sent a message can ultimately prevent what might otherwise turn into weeks of stress, financial loss and disruption." As AI continues to become more prevalent, scammers are using the improving technology to create fake travel websites to defraud unsuspecting people planning a holiday when, in fact, they won't be purchasing anything. "People could find themselves paying hundreds or even thousands of pounds for trips that simply don't exist, only to realise they've handed over sensitive personal and payment details to organised cybercriminals," FoxTech said. A different form of scam that many will have experienced already is bogus delivery texts and emails. This will be when users receive a message claiming that a fee is required as you have missed a delivery. Such messages will often include a link that looks legitimate but will actually direct you to a phishing website, where you will be asked to hand over credit card details. "Scams are evolving rapidly, and what might look like a harmless deal or a routine delivery text could end up draining your bank account or exposing your personal data," the team at Foxtech continued. "Taking a few extra seconds to verify a message can spare you weeks of stress and financial headaches." A third kind of scam to be aware of are accommodation-booking scams, when the room or apartment isn't actually available or perhaps doesn't even exist. A sign of such scams is if a listing is brand new and no reviews can be found online. Hacker using laptop. Lots of digits on the computer screen. An important piece of advice amid the busy holiday season is to avoid sharing pictures of boarding passes on social media because these can be scanned by criminals, who have methods of accessing airline accounts and stealing personal data. FoxTech has released a list of five rules to abide by to ensure you don't fall victim to online fraud. Double-check before clicking links: Always hover over links to see where they really lead, and be cautious of any message that tries to rush you into taking action. Verify delivery updates directly: If you get a text about a parcel, go straight to the courier's official website instead of clicking the link. Research travel deals properly: Check independent reviews, confirm website contact details, and make sure it's the official booking platform before paying. Keep boarding passes private: Never post travel documents online — that barcode contains more personal information than most people realise. Use multi-factor authentication: Adding a second step to logins protects your accounts even if your password does get stolen. Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here.

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