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While the tech world offers many opportunities and gives you information at your fingertips, it’s also fraught with danger. Cybercriminals are everywhere, always looking for chances to ensnare unsuspecting individuals with their sophisticated tech scams. This article dives into common tech scams people unknowingly fall for, using examples to help you stay alert and avoid becoming your own worst enemy online.
- Fake tech support scams
- Scareware pop-ups
- Phishing pages disguised as logins
- Malicious browser extensions
- “Free” utility tools with hidden costs
1. Fake tech support scams
A very common online scam is fraudsters posing as tech support agents from reputable companies like Apple, Amazon, Microsoft, and so on. They call unsuspecting victims and claim their computer has a virus infection or is experiencing technical issues. They are after remote access to your computer and ultimately your money.
Example of a fake tech support scam
You receive a call from someone claiming to be from “Microsoft”, warning you that your computer is compromised. Suggesting you download remote access software so they can “fix” the issues, they gain access and install malware, steal your data, or demand payment for unnecessary services.
How to prevent falling for fake tech support scams
Legitimate companies don’t make unsolicited phone calls regarding security issues. Hang up immediately if you receive such a call. Never allow remote access unless you can verify the source through official company support channels.
2. Scareware pop-ups
Scareware pop-ups mimic system alerts and falsely claim your device has malware. By design, they pressure you into clicking a link that installs harmful software. They may even trick you into buying fake antivirus software subscriptions.
What does a scareware pop-up look like?
A pop-up appears saying, “Your system is infected! Click here to clean it now!” Clicking the link either downloads malware or redirects you to a fraudulent payment page.
Never click on suspicious pop-ups
If using a Mac, close the pop-up with Force Quit or use Task Manager for Windows users. Rely on trusted antivirus software for system security and perform regular scans.
3. Phishing pages disguised as logins
Phishing scams are also common. They trick users into entering their credentials on fake login pages that closely resemble trusted services like Google, PayPal, or your bank. Phishing scams exist to capture sensitive information, which scammers then use to access your accounts.
How does phishing work?
You receive an urgent email claiming there is a lock on your Google account. In the email, there is a direct link to a login page that looks identical to Google’s. However, when you enter your password, the scammers steal it.
Don’t be a victim of phishing scams
Before entering your credentials, always check the URL. Look for things like subtle misspellings or unusual domain names. For added protection, enable two-factor authentication (2FA). Instead of clicking links in emails, go directly to the official website by typing the address manually.
4. Malicious browser extensions
Malicious browser extensions often appear helpful. However, they request excessive permissions, track your data, and may even inject ads into web pages or steal your personal information. These extensions often disguise themselves as productivity tools, ad blockers, or search enhancers.
How hackers exploit your trust
You receive a request to install an extension that promises to improve productivity, but instead it secretly tracks your browsing history, collects your sensitive data, and redirects search results to malicious and dangerous websites.
Download extensions from official web stores
The best prevention is to only install extensions from official web stores and reputable developers. Do some housekeeping. Regularly review and remove unused extensions, and always check the permissions they request before installation.
5. “Free” utility tools with hidden costs
Many tools you can download claim to optimise or clean your computer to make it run faster and more efficiently. Most provide little real benefit. Some come with adware, while others use scare tactics to push you into paying for unnecessary fixes.
What this looks like
A registry cleaner scans your system and displays hundreds of so-called “critical issues”. It then demands payment to resolve these issues. The truth is that most of these “issues” have no real impact on system performance.
What you should do instead
Avoid downloading unnecessary utility software. Instead, use built-in system tools or rely on trusted software reputable tech sources recommend.
Need virus and malware removal?
If you suspect your computer has a virus or malware infection and you’re not sure what to do, give us a call at Computer Cures. We follow an effective 5-step procedure to remove harmful malware and virus infections without damaging your data. Contact us today and we’ll have your system running normally again in no time.
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