Digital trust is the confidence that a customer or employee has in a company to maintain digital security outlines Bahaa Al Zubaidi. Since users become accustomed to trusting their digital service provider, scammers exploit this trust. They employ various tactics that manipulate users’ confidence in the safety and legitimacy of fraudulent digital interactions. Let us look at some of the ways in which they exploit digital trust and how we can deal with them.
Phishing and Social Engineering
Cyber criminals trick users into revealing sensitive personal and financial information through deceptive emails and messages. They provoke immediate action by using emotional triggers.
Dealing with it
Users who are aware about phishing techniques do not usually fall for them. Aware users authenticate communication before sharing sensitive information no matter the urgency. Effective spam filters and email authentication protocols also help in the process.
Fake Websites and Online Stores
Scammers lure customers by offering excellent deals on products through counterfeit e-commerce platforms. If a user gets fooled into buying the products they either receive counterfeits or nothing at all.
Dealing with it
Use secure connections (HTTPS) and verified websites for online transactions. If these are not available for an e-commerce website then report the fraudulent website and aid cybersecurity agencies to take them down.
Tech Support Scams
Scammers often contact users and pretend to be technical support executives. They claim that some security issue has been detected. Expecting assistance users grant them remote access and get fooled into paying for spurious services.
Dealing with it
The best way to avoid this is by contacting official support channels whenever you suspect a security issue. Users should never grant remote access to unverified parties.
Social Media and Online Advertising Scams
Fraudulent schemes and investment opportunities are advertised through social media and other platforms.
Dealing with it
It is best to avoid unsolicited advertisements. Users should verify any scheme or investment before sharing personal information.
Smishing and Vishing
Scammers can also trick users into revealing sensitive information by using SMS (Smishing) or voice calls (Vishing). These can also go as far as tricking users into paying these criminals.
Dealing with it
Users should be careful about replying to unsolicited text messages and phone calls. Only make online payments to verified parties.
Conclusion
You will find yourself a victim of cyber scams if you trust blindly. Authenticate all parties before sharing any sensitive personal or financial information. Digital must be earned. Scammers can exploit your trust if you give it without verifying who they are. By being alert and security conscious we can avoid most of these scams.
The article has been written by Bahaa Al Zubaidi and has been published by the editorial board of Tech Domain news. For more information, please visit www.techdomainnews.com
