Connectivity in this increasingly digital world offers plenty of benefits to tech lovers. For example, it’s easier than ever to stay in touch on our phones, communicate online, and quickly access information – from just about anywhere. At the same time, there are new challenges to managing technology and keeping up with new developments. People with bad intentions may try to use technology to steal our money, data, and even our identities.
To help you stay safe, we’ve put together a guide on some common cyber threats. Here are some things to watch for.
Fraud and common scams
You might be familiar with the more common scams, such as a caller impersonating an IRS agent or a debt collector. For a list of ways to identify common scams and better protect yourself, read this article on fraud and scams.
Identify theft
Identity theft happens when a criminal gains access to enough of your personal data to impersonate you. With that information, he or she can damage your finances, credit, and reputation. AT&T has outlined a few simple steps you can take to better protect yourself from identify theft. Read the article on identify theft for more information.
Malware
Has your device ever been slow because of a virus? If so, then you may have been a victim of Malware. Malware is software designed to disrupt, damage or gain unauthorized access to your device. Read this article from AT&T to learn more about malware.
Phishing and fake emails
Phishing schemes and fake emails try to bait you into providing sensitive information or downloading malware onto your device through unsecure attachments or links. These attempts often come from criminals impersonating friends or authority figures. Read a detailed explanation on how to identify fake emails and better protect yourself from phishing threats.
Text message scams
Texting is a great way to stay connected and keep in touch. But criminals often use texts as part of their scams on consumers. Learn ways to identify common texting scams and better protect yourself.
Social Engineering Scams
Social engineering is a term for schemes where someone tries to con you into believing they are someone they are not. These kinds of tricks have a long history, and in the digital world they present themselves in many different ways. Here’s information on how to better protect yourself from social engineering threats.
Robocalls
You may think of robocalls as just those annoying automated messages that interrupt your dinner. Some robocalls can also be part of dangerous scams. Learn how to better avoid illegal robocalls with this article from AT&T.
Spam email
Most of us are familiar with spam email and see it as the digital equivalent of junk mail. However, some spam emails can be dangerous, providing links to scam websites, requesting sensitive information, or including attachments containing malware. Read this guide from AT&T about how to better protect yourself from spam email.
Protect yourself by improving your cybersecurity awareness
Hopefully this post gives you a better sense of the kinds of cybersecurity threats you may encounter. While there can be a great deal to watch out for online, you can keep yourself safer by educating yourself and improving your cybersecurity awareness. For more information on specific topics, additional security tips and resources, visit the AT&T Cyber Aware website.
This article is AT&T sponsored content written by Matt Johnsen, a TechBuzz contributor. The statements in this article are his own and don’t necessarily represent the positions, strategies, or opinions of AT&T.