Types of Internet Fraud
- Phishing: Phishing is when hackers pretend to be trustworthy sources. They try to steal passwords, credit card numbers, and other sensitive details. Spoofing occurs when criminals copy real communications. Their goal is to access your data without permission.
- Data breaches: Data Breaches happen when someone gets into confidential records without approval. Things like ID numbers, medical records, bank info, and emails could get stolen. You might lose important data or have your identity taken.
- Dos Attack: During denial of service (DoS) attacks, hackers overload computers or networks with too much internet traffic. This shuts down the systems, blocking real users from connecting or using linked services.
- Business email compromise: Business email compromise (BEC) scams go after companies that wire money overseas or deal with foreign suppliers. The scammers break into business email accounts through trickery or hacking. Then they make illegal money transfers.
- Malware: Malware, or bad software, harms computers, servers, and networks. It covers viruses, worms, Trojans, and spyware.
- Ransomware: Ransomware is malware locking data or threatening to share it unless victims pay up. It often infects through phishing emails and infected websites.
Top Online Scams and How to Avoid Internet Scams
Online scams are fraud schemes carried out over the internet to fraud people, collect personal information, or earn financial benefits through illegal methods. These frauds can take many different forms and target people who are unaware via email, social media, websites, or other online channels.