AS more and more people get scammed online, Google has come out with some tips on how to you identify and avoid these scams.
1. Know how scammers can reach you.
Scammers are taking advantage of the increase in Covid-19 communications by disguising their scams as legitimate messages about the virus. Alongside emails, scammers may also use text messages, automated calls and malicious websites to reach you.
2. Watch out for impersonators.
Scammers might pose as legitimate organisations like the government or nonprofit organisations. If someone you know emails you but the message seems odd, their account may have been hacked. Don't reply to the message or click any links unless you can confirm the email is legitimate. Look out for things like urgent requests for money, sob stories about being stranded abroad, or the person claiming their phone was stolen and cannot be called.
3. Beware of requests for personal or financial information.
If you receive an unsolicited request for personal or financial information, take extra time to evaluate the message. Scammers will often ask you to input login information, or share bank details and addresses with them. They may also request payment via bank transfer or virtual currency.
4. Check before you click on anything.
Fake links often imitate established websites by adding extra words or letters. If it says something like "click here," hover over the link or long press the text to check the URL for mistakes being careful not to click it. Misspelled words or random letters and numbers in the URL or email address may also indicate a scam.
5. Strengthen the security of your Google account.
We automatically protect your privacy with industry-leading security. Taking the Security Checkup gives you personalized and actionable recommendations to help strengthen the security of your Google Account. Complete check up here.
For extra protection online, add two-factor authentication — also known as 2-step verification — to your accounts. This provides another layer of security by requiring two steps to gain access to your account: for example, something you know (your password) and something you physically have on hand (like your phone or a security key).
6. Browse the web safely.
Chrome and other browsers use Safe Browsing to show users a warning message before they visit a dangerous site or download a harmful app. Our scanning infrastructure also protects the Chrome Web Store from potentially harmful extensions.