'Tis the season to be CYBERAWARE

IT experts warn consumers to remain alert for scammers during Christmas season

What they do is target persons who shop online and send unsuspecting users email messages through an attack method, termed ‘spearphishing.’ Avoid using debit cards whenever possible. Debit cards take money directly from your bank account. If fraud has been committed, you’ll have a much harder time getting your money back.

WE ARE just a few weeks away from Christmas, and bustling holiday shopping has already begun. But information technology experts are warning Jamaicans to exercise caution as cybercriminals are also looking for opportunities to scam holiday shoppers.

IT infrastructure manager at MC Systems, Collin Burgess, said that cyber attackers are using more sophisticated measures to adapt to consumers’ evolving digital lifestyles. He says the most common tricks are being used via email and text phishing.

“What they do is target persons who shop online and send unsuspecting users email messages through an attack method, termed ‘spear-phishing’, which is a targeted attempt to steal sensitive information, such as account credentials or financial information from a specific victim, often for malicious reasons,” he explained.

LEVERAGING DATA

Burgess said that the attackers disguise themselves as a trustworthy friend or entity to acquire sensitive information, typically through email or other online messaging.

This is the most successful form of acquiring confidential information on the

Internet.

He further notes that cybercriminals leverage data collected from breaches to assess users and decide how they can target shoppers with social engineering and artificial intelligence (AI).

The IT infrastructure manager said that scamming can also take the form of using IP cameras to other

Internet-connected devices, such as thermostats or sensors and appliances, which are

Internet of Things devices.

“Many of these devices enter the home with no form of security controls built-in, and cybercriminals will likely focus on exploiting consumers via these gadgets,” he said.

Burgess advises shoppers to use a comprehensive security solution, such as antivirus software, which he said can help to improve safety during shopping online, as it provides safer web browsing, virus protection, and more.