Internet Safety: How to Protect Your Data and Privacy

Entry

The number of internet users and mobile apps is constantly growing. We can no longer imagine a world without smartphones or the internet, and taking advantage of the benefits of apps available on every phone has become a daily occurrence. The ability to communicate or handle administrative matters from our own device saves us time and allows us to focus on the things that matter to us. We treat the digital world as an everyday occurrence; the sheer number of notifications, emails, and pop-up windows often means we don't always consider their content.

This situation is easily exploited by fraudsters who, based on knowledge of how users use the Internet, use various social engineering techniques to achieve their goal, which most often involves extorting money or personal data.

What are the ways scammers operate on the Internet?

 Some of the most common social techniques used by scammers include:

Fake emails – fraudsters send fake emails pretending to be from trusted institutions, banks or websites in order to obtain personal data or logins and passwords.

Phishing – scammers create fake websites that look like genuine ones to collect personal information from users.

Spoofing – fraudsters impersonate well-known institutions or people to deceive users and extort money or information.

Psychological manipulation – scammers use emotional manipulation such as fear, rush or the desire for profit to make the victim make rash decisions.

Social engineering attack – fraudsters try to exploit interpersonal relationships based on trust in friends to deceive the victim, e.g. by asking them to send money in confidence.

Use of private information – fraudsters collect private information about their victims in order to more convincingly impersonate people or institutions they know.

Using the social principle of social proof – scammers use principles of social psychology, such as trust in other people or the desire to belong to a group, to manipulate the victim.

These social engineering techniques are an effective tool used by online scammers to achieve their goals, so it is important to exercise caution and common sense when using the internet.

Internet user security is currently one of the most important issues we face. One of the most common threats we encounter online is phishing attacks sent via email.

What is phishing and how to recognize it

Phishing attacks involve impersonating trusted institutions or individuals to obtain confidential information, such as bank account login credentials or other sensitive data. Recipients of such a fake email can easily be tricked into providing their personal information, unknowingly facilitating hackers' access to their accounts.

How to protect yourself from online fraud attacks

To protect yourself from phishing attacks, pay close attention to emails you receive. Be sure to check the sender's address and the message content. Links are often hidden so they're easy to click accidentally, which increases the risk of fraud. To check the address of the website a link is trying to send you, simply hover your mouse over the suspicious link without clicking it. Make sure the link you're about to click takes you to a website whose address you know and doesn't contain any extra numbers, letters, or misplaced characters. Also, check if the website has an SSL certificate, which confirms that the data being sent is encrypted and secure.

Another important indicator of phishing is a list of email addresses. If you receive suspicious messages from unknown or suspicious senders, do not open attachments or click on links. Additionally, watch out for spelling and grammatical errors in the email body, as these are common signs that the message may be a phishing attempt.

Social media users often fall victim to scammers, receiving information about account closures or violations. Such information raises concerns for many users, especially if the account is used not only for contacting friends but also for connecting with clients or promoting one's business. It's worth paying particular attention to such messages and, if necessary, contacting the owner or staff directly through the service you use.

If in doubt, it is always worth consulting the appropriate services.

It's also important to use up-to-date antivirus software and security systems to help detect potential threats. Remember that our online security depends primarily on our caution and awareness, so it's worth being vigilant and not trusting everything we receive via email.

Data protection

We also recommend blocking your PESEL number. You can do this via the website www.gov.pl or at your local municipal office. Blocking your PESEL number makes it impossible to conclude a savings account, loan, or credit agreement—both for you and for the fraudster.
You can unblock your PESEL number at any time. You can do this by choosing one of two options:

• Unlimited withdrawal of the restriction – means that your PESEL number will cease to be protected until you restrict it again.
• Temporarily unblocking – this option asks you to set a date and time when your PESEL number will be automatically blocked. This way, you don't have to remember to re-enable the protection.

What to do if you get scammed

If you suspect you've been a victim of phishing, immediately change your passwords to your online accounts. Scan your devices for malware. If you've provided financial information, contact the appropriate authority to block your card or monitor unauthorized transactions.

It's also important to report phishing attempts to the appropriate authorities, such as CERT Polska or the Police. This can help prevent attacks on other users and help prosecute criminals.

Summary

In summary, awareness and caution are key to preventing and dealing with phishing. Keep the above tips in mind and stay vigilant online to protect your data and avoid cybercriminals.