4 Valentine’s Day cyberthreats to watch out for

While Valentine’s Day may bring forth the warmth of love, it may also usher in the chilling reality of cyberthreats. Cybercriminals love Valentine’s Day just as much as anyone else because it’s when people are more likely to let their guard down and make mistakes.

In this blog post, we’ll discuss some of the most common Valentine’s Day cyberthreats that you should be aware of so you can stay safe.

1. Phishing scams

Phishing scams typically involve emails or text messages that seem to be from a legitimate source, such as an online retailer, logistics company, or a loved one. These messages typically have a link that, when clicked, will lead you to a spoofed website. Once you enter your personal data on that website, cybercriminals can steal it and use it to conduct identity theft, fraud, or other malicious activities.

Around Valentine’s Day, you may receive phishing emails with topics such as “Your Valentine’s Day reward has arrived!” or “Click here to see your Valentine’s Day greeting card!”

Here are some tips for spotting phishing scams:

• Look for typos or grammatical errors in the email or text message. These are common signs of a phishing scam.
• Be wary of messages that ask you to click on a link or open an attachment.
• If you’re unsure of a message’s legitimacy, don’t click on any of its links or attachments.
• Contact the purported sender on their official communication channels to verify the message’s authenticity.

2. Fake websites

Fake websites are designed to look like legitimate websites, such as online flower shops or jewelry stores. However, when you try to purchase on a fake website, your credit card information may be stolen.

Follow these tips to avoid falling victim to fake websites:

• Shop only at websites that you know and trust.
• Look for the lock symbol in the address bar of your web browser. This means that the website is secure.
• Exercise caution with websites that offer too-good-to-be-true deals.

Read also: Test your cybersecurity knowledge: Take the ultimate quiz on cybersecurity terms

3. Romance scams

In romance scams, cybercriminals create fake identities and online profiles. They will then build a relationship with the victim and eventually ask the victim for money, gifts, or sensitive information.

To avoid falling for romance scams, follow these tips:

• Be wary of people you meet online who move quickly to profess their love for you.
• Keep personal details such as your address and financial information private. Don’t share them readily online, even with someone who seems charming.
• Do not send money or gifts to anyone you meet online or on dating apps.

4. Malware

Malware is malicious software designed to harm computers or steal data. It can lurk in various places, disguised as links, infected attachments, or seemingly harmless downloads.

Here are some tips for avoiding malware:

• Regularly update your antivirus and other security software to defend against the latest threats.
• Avoid downloading anything from untrusted sources.
• Be wary of opening attachments or clicking on links in unsolicited emails.

Interplay can keep businesses safe against Valentine’s Day cyberthreats

We can protect your business from cyberthreats on Valentine’s Day and throughout the year with our security solutions and services:

• Email security: Our email security solution uses advanced filtering techniques to identify and block suspicious emails before they reach your employees’ inboxes.
• Web filtering: With web filtering in place, you can prevent employees from visiting malicious websites that might contain malware or attempt to steal data through phishing pages.
• End user security training: Regular security training empowers your employees to recognize suspicious emails, attachments, and websites, and equips them with the knowledge and skills to report these promptly.

By partnering with us, you can protect yourself and your business from Valentine’s Day cyberthreats and ensure that everyone has a safe and happy holiday. Get in touch with us today.