Blog post: Online security
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Blog post: Online security
Malicious people are becoming increasingly inventive and sophisticated in their attempts to scam you, stopping at nothing to get your money or sensitive data.
It’s important to remember that scams usually succeed when two conditions are met:
1/ The scam is well-designed, credible, and resembles reality.
2/ It reaches you at the wrong moment, when you are more vulnerable or distracted.
When these two factors coincide, even the most skeptical people who believe they could never be fooled may fall victim.
What’s more, scammers are no fools: they often pretend to be someone you trust—an official, a friend, a charity, or a well-known company—and take advantage of new technologies, products, or services to create increasingly convincing stories aimed at getting you to hand over money or personal data.
The best way to protect yourself from most online scams is to always follow a few key tips, stay vigilant, and never rush into anything!
Scams can target anyone, and we’re all vulnerable at one time or another!
So here’s a short list of tips to help you stay alert in the face of the countless scams we face all year round:
You know scams exist, so stay cautious.
When dealing with any contact—whether by phone, email, mail, in person, or via social networks—always consider the possibility that it could be a scam attempt.
Remember: if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is!
If you’re unsure about the legitimacy of a person or company, take the time to do a little research.
Do a Google image search or look online to see if others have had dealings with them. If you receive an unusual message or email from a friend, contact them directly to verify it was really sent by them.
Don’t open suspicious texts, pop-ups, links, or attachments in suspicious emails—delete them without opening.
If in doubt, verify the contact’s identity using an independent source, like a phone book or a trusted website. Don’t use the contact details provided in the suspicious message.
Don’t respond to automated calls, calls offering gifts, or calls requesting remote access to your computer—even if they claim to represent a well-known company. Hang up immediately!
Lock your mailbox and shred bills or other sensitive documents before disposing of them. Keep your passwords and identification codes secure.
Be very careful about how much personal information you share on social networks—scammers can use this data and your photos to create fake identities or target you with scams.
Never make a rushed decision—scammers want you to act quickly. They’ll try to create a false sense of urgency or even become aggressive to destabilize you.
Before giving away your money or personal data, take time to think, talk to someone you trust, do your research online, but don’t decide immediately!
If it’s not a scam, you’ll always be able to get back in touch later.
Always use password protection, avoid sharing access (even remotely), update your security software, and back up your data regularly.
Protect your Wi-Fi with a password and avoid using public computers or public Wi-Fi to access sensitive sites like your bank account.
Create passwords that are hard to guess and change them regularly.
A strong password combines uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols.
Avoid using the same password everywhere and don’t share your passwords with others.
If you use social networks like Facebook or Twitter, be selective about who you connect with and learn how to adjust your privacy and security settings.
If you notice suspicious activity, click on spam, or fall victim to a scam, secure your account and report it immediately!
Never send money or give credit card details, online account information, or copies of personal documents to anyone you don’t fully trust.
Never agree to transfer money or goods on behalf of someone else.
Scammers often ask you to pay via unusual methods like prepaid debit cards, gift cards, iTunes cards, or cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin.
Beware of offers that seem too good to be true, and always use a trusted online payment service.
Be especially wary of free trials or €1 offers, which often enroll you in costly subscriptions until cancelled. Always read the site’s terms and conditions carefully and research it online or on Scam or Reliable.
Think twice before paying with cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, as they don’t offer the same protections as traditional payment methods—once paid, you can’t get your money back.
When paying online, always check that the website uses a secure connection (HTTPS URL with a locked padlock in the address bar).
While browsing online, you’ll visit many different websites—some of which can harm your device if you’re not careful.
Here are a few precautions:
Avoid downloading executables, applications, or other potentially dangerous files, and avoid clicking suspicious links. Open files only from trusted, official websites.
The following file formats are generally considered safe when protected by antivirus software:
– .txt (text file)
– .ppt or .pptx (Microsoft PowerPoint)
– .doc or .docx (Microsoft Word)
– .xls or .xlsx (Microsoft Excel)
– .pdf (Adobe Acrobat Reader)
We strongly recommend that you install antivirus and antispyware protection on your device. Keep these programs up to date—otherwise, they’ll be ineffective. Many free and paid options are available online.
See our article on antivirus and spyware.
If you encounter a page with a warning like “Warning – visiting this website may harm your computer”, or your antivirus warns you about a page, do not visit it under any circumstances.
You may also come across pages requiring RealPlayer or the Adobe Flash plugin—these can generally be downloaded safely.
Remember: scammers don’t discriminate and target everyone, regardless of nationality, social class, religion, skin color, or age—so protect yourself and stay vigilant!
If you’ve been scammed, visit “Scam Alert“, our page listing resources to help consumers who’ve been scammed!
Which Antivirus to Choose:
This article will help you discover the most important criteria to consider when choosing antivirus protection!
See the article “Which Antivirus to Choose”.
How to Secure WordPress:
This article will guide you through simple yet essential steps to protect your WordPress blog from hackers!
See the article “How to secure WordPress”.
WordPress Specialized Hosting:
This article presents several specialized WordPress hosting solutions to help boost your WP blog’s speed!
See “WordPress Specialized Hosting” article
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Disclaimers: The information presented on this blog is for information purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional recommendations and should not be used to diagnose or treat specific problems. For specific advice, consult a qualified expert. We are not responsible for errors or inappropriate use of the information provided on this site. If you spot an inaccuracy, please notify us.