SAFETY TIP OF THE WEEK

Beware of “urgent” messages you weren’t expecting: these are tell-tale signs of phishing schemes.

TODAY’S TOPIC

Phishing Scams: Keep Your Kids off the Hook

Have you ever received an email from a suspicious account asking you to click a link? Maybe it seemed like an obvious scam, so you ignored or deleted it. Today, phishing attackers use tricks to make their scam messages seem very real. It is extremely important to know how to spot and delete phishing messages before they can access your information.

How do scammers get your information in the first place? Typically, large-scale cyber attacks target bigger companies, like Google, to which you have already consented to share your information. When hackers are able to infiltrate the information systems of those companies, they can get access to your cell phone number and your email address. From there, they send text messages and emails with links that can infiltrate your accounts and devices. The Federal Trade Commission provides a list of typical phishing content that can help you to spot them.

These links can take many forms, such as QR codes, hyperlinked words, or seemingly legitimate buttons. Phishing messages can even be communicated through voice calls, in which the attacker prompts you to visit a site with malicious intent. AI tools, like deep fake images, allow hackers to create very realistic emails and conduct large-scale research to discover what links their victims are most likely to click. 

_{WHAT CAN YOU DO?}

Now that scams have become so hard to spot, how can you protect yourself and your child from phishing attackers? Below are some tips for avoiding phishing tricks:

• Not Every Message Deserves a Reply: Sometimes it feels fun to respond to unknown senders because responding can be unserious, and it doesn’t appear to have consequences. But engaging with these messages will only encourage them to message you more, so it is not worth responding at all.

• Be Skeptical of Unexpected Messages: If you weren’t expecting a message from your bank, for example, look carefully at the email source and check your online application to confirm whether the message is real. If you don’t have an application for the company sender, try calling the company on the phone. Do not click any of the links in the email before you have confirmed that it is legitimate.

•  Don’t Click Suspicious Links: Links sent by phishing attackers are meant to collect your information without your knowledge or consent. Be hesitant to click any link that is not from a legitimate sender. Check for company logos, misspellings, and “urgent” notices in the message, as these typically indicate that the message is a phishing scam. Remember that links can be accessed through QR codes too, so if you see a QR code that is not upfront about what it is for, do not take a picture of it. 

• Never Share Personal Information over Text or Email: Large companies will rarely ask for your personal information before logging in with your credentials. You should never send your information via email, and you should never give out your Social Security number online. 

• Encourage Your Kids to Ask about Links before Clicking: Talk to your child about the dangers of phishing scams. Show them what a phishing scam might look like, and encourage them to follow the tips listed above. 

• Make Cyber Safety a Family Habit: Practice cyber safety yourself and create an environment where your child feels safe to come forward if they accidentally click a phishing link. Having overly harsh consequences for these mistakes might discourage your child from telling you if they fall prey to phishing scams.

▶ Slang Word of the Week: “Aura-farming” – v. to work conspicuously hard to appear cool or stylish, especially when one is not actually cool or stylish.