Here is a sobering statistic: there is an attack every 39 seconds on the privacy of companies or on private individuals. Alas, this is the brutal reality of the digital age in which we live, but it does not mean that we cannot be on the lookout.
One way in which scammers try to find their way into our digital lives is by imitating either the company that we work for, or somebody that we know. If you receive anything that you were not expecting from a friend or if it comes from your company at a strange time, for example, you should question whether it is legitimate.
Such emails very often try to get your engagement by offering enticing links or QR codes, promising anything from a good laugh to monetary gifts.
Be on your guard and check the sender’s email address carefully: sometimes just one letter is different. It also helps to hover over any links as this will indicate the true destination, which may not be the same one that you can see in the link! It is also important to realise that scammers can completely clone email addresses and websites: basically things may not be what they seem!
If you suspect an email or link, do not open them, especially if they add a sense of urgency. Stop and ask yourself whether the email follows any pattern from the past, and whether the request makes sense.
If you are unsure, it is worth reaching out to the originator of the message, using some other channel, to ask them whether they sent you a message; if they did not, they will also be able to check if their profile has been hacked and warn any other people that messages from them might not be genuine.
Bear in mind, that once you allow a scammer access, even if you react quickly and prevent any real damage and even if no important information is stolen, it could take some time to rectify the breach.
This is one of the main messages of a short clip currently available on national television as part of a cyber awareness campaign delivered by MITA, in collaboration with MITA-NCC and the Malta Police Force. The campaign aims to increase awareness about digital security through videos that place audiences in realistic, everyday scenarios where their online safety may be threatened or negatively impacted.
Under the slogan “Int Importanti”, the campaign emphasises the importance of staying safe online and looking out for one another to help make the internet a safer place.
What can you do if you receive an email that you suspect is a scam? First of all, do not click on any links, and do not give them any information. It is also recommended that you keep the email to show it to the police. You can report the incident to the Police via their website pulizija.gov.mt or by calling tel. 21224001.