Social Media Safety - Surviving Phishing Emails When You Network Online
With the increased usage of social media sites there has been a marked increase in the amount of fraudulent emails.
These emails are similar to the phishing attacks of the past.
Remember when you'd receive fake emails from banks or delivery companies or even a prince in an exotic country? The techniques are similar: the phishing email solicits a response and ask for personal information.
The purpose is the same: to access your personal accounts, defraud, and hijack your address book contacts to do the same! While there is no permanent way to prevent the receipt of these emails, there are 4 easy rules to avoid getting duped by these web villains.
RULE #1: NEVER CLICK ON A LINK IN AN EMAIL.
One phishing email I received was pretty clever...
it presented an option to click "yes" or "no thanks" to add an application to one of my Social Media accounts.
NEVER click to accept or reject an email offer! RULE #2: DON'T DISCLOSE ID INFORMATION THOUGH EMAIL OR ON UNFAMILIAR WEBSITES.
The top social media sites like Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn and other won't contact your by email to request your personal information.
If you receive an email requesting your birth date or parts of your social security number, consider this to be a red flag and do not respond.
RULE #3: IN DOUBT? CHECK IT OUT.
If you think the email sent to you may be fake, do a search online for the company's website and look to see if any email fraud warnings are posted.
If you're not a "fan" of Facebook Security, click the "like" button and start getting updates on the latest security features and known scams.
RULE #4: VET THEM THROUGH INDEPENDENT SOURCES.
When I did an online search of one company that was sending out unsolicited emails, the description in the search results looked positive, describing the company's founding by a team of Harvard graduates.
When you take the 2 seconds to click through and read Wikipedia, the first paragraph makes it clear that consumer advocates are alarmed about this site and that the Better Business Bureau has given them an "F".
It's amazing what you can find if you take a couple minutes to look for it.
Knowing the rules will keep Social Media fun and productive.
I work with clients to leverage their website and Social Media to get the most out of their Internet Marketing.
These emails are similar to the phishing attacks of the past.
Remember when you'd receive fake emails from banks or delivery companies or even a prince in an exotic country? The techniques are similar: the phishing email solicits a response and ask for personal information.
The purpose is the same: to access your personal accounts, defraud, and hijack your address book contacts to do the same! While there is no permanent way to prevent the receipt of these emails, there are 4 easy rules to avoid getting duped by these web villains.
RULE #1: NEVER CLICK ON A LINK IN AN EMAIL.
One phishing email I received was pretty clever...
it presented an option to click "yes" or "no thanks" to add an application to one of my Social Media accounts.
NEVER click to accept or reject an email offer! RULE #2: DON'T DISCLOSE ID INFORMATION THOUGH EMAIL OR ON UNFAMILIAR WEBSITES.
The top social media sites like Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn and other won't contact your by email to request your personal information.
If you receive an email requesting your birth date or parts of your social security number, consider this to be a red flag and do not respond.
RULE #3: IN DOUBT? CHECK IT OUT.
If you think the email sent to you may be fake, do a search online for the company's website and look to see if any email fraud warnings are posted.
If you're not a "fan" of Facebook Security, click the "like" button and start getting updates on the latest security features and known scams.
RULE #4: VET THEM THROUGH INDEPENDENT SOURCES.
When I did an online search of one company that was sending out unsolicited emails, the description in the search results looked positive, describing the company's founding by a team of Harvard graduates.
When you take the 2 seconds to click through and read Wikipedia, the first paragraph makes it clear that consumer advocates are alarmed about this site and that the Better Business Bureau has given them an "F".
It's amazing what you can find if you take a couple minutes to look for it.
Knowing the rules will keep Social Media fun and productive.
I work with clients to leverage their website and Social Media to get the most out of their Internet Marketing.