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December 8, 2015
Data Security: Your New Holiday Gifts May Be the Main Target for Hackers
Data security will be essential for many this holiday season. A warning has been sent in by The Better Business Bureau to inform smartphone, tablet and other electronics users of the dangers of ransomware this holiday season.
When you hear the terms virus, hacker and malware the first thing that usually comes to mind is a computer or laptop. Unfortunately, the new targets for today’s hackers are beginning to be your smartphones, tablets and other devices, particularly iPhones and iPads.
Now, imagine you are browsing the internet on your new device and suddenly it freezes – Next thing you know, you receive an error notification stating, “Warning IOS – Crash Report. Due to a third party application your phone iOS crashed”.
The notification then prompts you to call a “customer support” line to resolve this issue for you, but there is a catch – The “staff” of the “customer support” line offers to fix your phone for a fee of about $60.
This type of malware is known as ransomware, a type of malware that prohibits or limits users from accessing their systems and thus forces these victims to pay the “ransom” to get their device functioning again.
WHAT CAN YOU DO TO PREVENT THIS?
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Protect all of your devices that are connected to the internet:
Computers, laptops, tablets, smartphones and even gaming systems need protection and data security from viruses, malware and other dangers
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Be sure to download necessary updates:
Keep your OS, apps and security up-to-date
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Always be cautious:
Lock your phone and other devices with a password
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Be shrewd of connecting to certain WiFis:
If you’re connected to a public or unsecure network, take great caution with which sites you are visiting and what information you are communicating
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If it looks suspicious, it probably is:
Scammers have the ability to reach out to their victims via text, email, voicemail and even through social media. Take extreme caution when giving out any of your personal information and be sure to never share your account information
EquipNet Technology Solutions offers a number of services, including data security for desktops and laptops. Contact us today for more information on our data security offerings.
Sources
http://www.bbb.org/wisconsin/news-events/bbb-scam-alerts/2015/11/dont-pay-scammers-to-unlock-your-iphone/
http://www.pewinternet.org/2015/04/01/chapter-one-a-portrait-of-smartphone-ownership/
http://www.trendmicro.com/vinfo/us/security/definition/Ransomware
Image Source
http://www.theworldoftechnology.com/2015/07/31/5-applications-to-maintain-your-cellphone-secure-from-security-risks/
Categorias: Services
