The holidays are a time when many people are digitally active. So are scammers. It is possible to protect yourself against online scams during the holidays, at least to some extent.
Online fraud that involves deceiving people of their money has increased by 45 percent during the first five months of the year. This is shown by figures produced by the Swedish Theft Protection Association (SSF). And it is hardly a coincidence that many people are victims of online fraud in the summer. We use apps and GPS, surf the hotel or restaurant's Wi-Fi and post beautiful pictures on social media. Everything we do leaves traces or can be traced.
Make account private
A classic example is posting vacation photos that show you are away and then being burglarized.
– We would love to share what we do. But then maybe you should make your account private so that only close friends can see it or post the pictures when you get home instead, says Björn Appelgren, head of public education at the independent Internet Foundation.
However, the most common digital fraud attempts occur via scam emails, according to the Internet Foundation's report "Swedes and the Internet". The report also shows that four out of ten internet users over the age of 16 have been exposed to fraud attempts online. https://acdn.adnxs-simple.com/ast/safeframe/static/0.49.0/html/safeframe-v2.htmlADVERTISEMENT
The holidays are a time when many people are digitally active. So are scammers. It is possible to protect yourself against online scams during the holidays, at least to some extent.
Online fraud that involves deceiving people of their money has increased by 45 percent during the first five months of the year. This is shown by figures produced by the Swedish Theft Protection Association (SSF). And it is hardly a coincidence that many people are victims of online fraud in the summer. We use apps and GPS, surf the hotel or restaurant's Wi-Fi and post beautiful pictures on social media. Everything we do leaves traces or can be traced.
Make account private
A classic example is posting vacation photos that show you are away and then being burglarized.
– We would love to share what we do. But then maybe you should make your account private so that only close friends can see it or post the pictures when you get home instead, says Björn Appelgren, head of public education at the independent Internet Foundation.
However, the most common digital fraud attempts occur via scam emails, according to the Internet Foundation's report "Swedes and the Internet." The report also shows that four out of ten internet users over the age of 16 have been exposed to fraud attempts online.
– During the holiday season, it could be summer offers or summer competitions where you are asked to click on a link. It could also be about offering help with arranging a session quickly.
Pretend to be Netflix
The aim is to obtain money through various means via card details, passwords or other valuable information.
TT: How do you recognize a scam email?
– The typical scam email either makes you happy or worried and you have to act quickly. It plays on emotions and there is a rush.
“For example, it could be a fake email from scammers pretending to be Netflix asking you to update your payment information. Otherwise, the service will be shut down – and you don't want that when you're on vacation,” he says.
Free Wi-Fi is another security risk during the summer. It is offered by everything from airports and hotels to bars and other nightlife venues.
– If the page does not have a padlock in the address bar, other users on the network can see what you are doing and get your information. There are also fake wireless networks that have names similar to the official names of the airport, hotel or restaurant.
GPS is safe
Therefore, Björn Appelgren recommends that you primarily use mobile surfing because it is safer.
TT: Should you use GPS and pay for coffee with your mobile phone on vacation?
– There is no greater risk of fraud regarding GPS navigation in particular. However, there is a privacy aspect because you can be tracked by different actors. You don't know who is tracking your position and what they are doing with that information.
Paying with your mobile phone is safe as long as you don't give your mobile phone to someone else.
– But I would recommend that you have your mobile phone linked to a special holiday card where you don't have that much money. That way, the loss will be less if something happens, says Björn Appelgren.
TT: If you were to give one digital security tip for the holidays, what would it be?
– Take passwords seriously! Have unique passwords for all accounts. If you only have one password and it leaks, then the fraudster has access to all your accounts and can lock you out of them.
– And don't forget to update apps and software on your computer and mobile phone. This closes the latest security gaps, says Björn Appelgren.
