As summer approaches, many are eagerly planning their long-awaited vacations and eagerly awaiting moments of relaxation and adventure.
However, Cybercrime Restless and eager to book a dream trip and looking for a place to relax can make users more vulnerable to falling for a computer scam.
Phishing schemes and fake websites are two types of cybercrime that typically increase around this time of summer.
Summer cyber crimes
In May 2024, the research team at Check Point Research (CPR) in Check Point® Software Technologies Ltd. (NASDAQ:CHKP)a leading provider of cloud-delivered AI-powered cybersecurity platforms, has revealed a significant increase in summer-related cyber fraud, highlighting the need for travelers to stay informed and proactive in protecting their personal information.
Specifically, a significant increase was observed in newly created domains related to holidays or vacations, with a significant increase compared to the same period last year. Of the 25,668 new domains registered, 1 in 33 were considered malicious or suspicious.
CPR identified several malicious domains, including sites such as booking-secure928[.]com, hotel housekeeper[.]com and agodabooking[.]summit. These sites impersonate well-known brand travel sites and are designed to trick users into entering their login credentials, which can result in the theft of personal information.
In addition to fake websites, cybercrime also arrives through other means. You should start paying more attention when you receive emails with very good offers and promotions. Phishing involves posting false campaigns that lead users to fraudulent websites.
This type of cybercrime may also be accompanied by an attachment that either contains an infected file or redirects the user to a fake address.
Checkpoint advice
- Verify the authenticity of a website by ensuring that the URL is HTTPS and look for indicators of trust, such as padlock symbols or site seals. You should avoid entering personal information on websites that contain suspicious or misspelled URLs.
- Be careful with emails, even those that appear to come from reputable sources. We should always be wary of unexpected attachments or requests for personal information. If in doubt, we should contact the company directly using the contact information on the official website, rather than clicking on the links in the email.
- Stay up-to-date on the latest cybersecurity threats and scams by following reputable cybersecurity blogs, subscribing to security newsletters, and participating in online forums or communities where cybersecurity professionals share ideas and tips.
- Use comprehensive security software, such as antivirus and anti-malware, to regularly scan your devices for threats. We must keep these programs updated with the latest definitions to ensure they can detect and prevent new forms of malware.
Summer holidays are synonymous with relaxation, but cybercrime still exists and users should not be fooled by the idea of getting the best deal ever.
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