The internet is a world full of opportunities, entertainment and information. But like the real world, it is also full of dangers and pitfalls. These can include various scams, cyberbullying and the theft of sensitive information. Not only adults can become victims, but also children, who are particularly trusting. In this article, we will look at the dangers that lurk on the internet, look at the most common types of scams and give you advice on how to behave online to avoid these dangers.
The internet is a very useful tool. Unfortunately, there is another side to the coin in the form of the various dangers it brings. These include various malware and viruses that can damage your computer or mobile device, steal sensitive information , etc. For example, ransomware is a type of malware that encrypts your files and then demands a ransom to unlock them.
Cyberbullying is another major problem on the Internet, especially among children and teenagers. This consists of harassment, intimidation or blackmail via the Internet, social networks, etc. Another risk is the access of children and adolescents to inappropriate or illegal content such as violent, pornographic or hateful material.
Tip: Bullying doesn’t just exist between children. Bullying is not just limited to kids – it can happen at work. We discussed how to defend yourself against discrimination in the workplace in our article.
But one of the biggest dangers is internet fraud. These include phishing,in the form of fraudulent emails or websites. Social engineering, which involves manipulating a person to obtain their confidential information or extort money from them, is also common. Identity theft is another danger where someone uses your personal information to commit fraud or other criminal activity. Let’s take a closer look at the most popular scams of today.
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Phishing is a method in which scammers send fraudulent emails or messages pretending to be legitimate communications from a bank, social network or other trusted institution. The goal is to get your login details, credit card numbers or other sensitive information. These emails often contain links to fake websites that look like the institution’s real website.
Scammers often use social networks to advertise goods at attractive prices. However, when you pay, you either never receive anything or you receive something completely different and less valuable.
Tip: Currently, courier pickup scams are popular on online bazaars to steal your credit card details. Find out more about it in our article.
Scammers can create profiles on legitimate dating sites to establish a trusting relationship with a victim and then extort money from them. To do this, they use various excuses such as health problems or travel expenses. However, there are also dating sites that are fake throughout. You won’t come across any real people here, as all the profiles are managed by moderators and their only goal is to extract as much money from you as possible.
Tip: You can read more about fake dating sites in our article.
Pig butchering is a scam in which fraudsters establish a long-term relationship with a victim, often through dating or social networking sites, and gradually persuade them to invest large sums of money in bogus investment schemes.
Fraudulent e-shops are websites that look like legitimate shops but you never receive your product or receive counterfeit goods when you pay for your order. These shops often lure customers with very low prices and special offers.
This scam works by having the scammer put up an enticing-looking advertisement for an apartment to rent. However, it asks for a deposit upfront and then disappears once the deposit is paid. The apartment either does not exist or is not available for rent.
Tip: learn more about apartment rental scams in the next article.
In this case, fraudsters steal your personal information, which they use to open accounts or obtain loans in your name. They may obtain your information through phishing, malware or other fraudulent methods.
The theft of your internet account itself is no exception. In this case, the fraudster obtains the login details for your online account (e.g. email account) and then uses them to make unauthorised transactions or steal personal data. They may also change passwords to prevent you from accessing your account.
The scam involves receiving a notification of a lottery or competition prize that you have never entered (often a prize of a voucher for shopping at various supermarkets). However, in order to collect the prize, you need to pay something or enter your personal details, which the scammer then uses.
Because of all sorts of pitfalls, you need to follow certain safety guidelines on the internet :
Internet safety is not just about you, it’s about your children. In addition to scams, they are also at risk from cyberbullying, inappropriate websites and people posing as their peers.
It is important to set privacy and security measures. Set privacy on their social networks to as tight a circle as possible. Use parental controls and content filters to restrict access to inappropriate websites. Teach children how to recognize and respond to cyberbullying, including that they should report any bullying to you or other trusted adults immediately. Save evidence of cyberbullying, such as screenshots and messages, andreport incidents to the school or police if necessary.
Tip: Have you been a victim or witness to a crime and are considering filing a criminal complaint? We can advise you on how to proceed. We will protect your rights quickly, efficiently and profitably.
Theemphasis on critical thinking is also important. Teach children to be critical of the information they find online and to always check the sources of information. Warn them about scams and false information that may appear in emails, messages or on social media. Use apps and platforms that allow you to monitor and block suspicious contacts , while also using apps in the education itself.
A great way to educate children about internet safety is through various apps. There are a number of these and they usually work on the principle of various quizzes. In addition, it’s also a good idea to bet on apps that allow you to monitor your child’s online activities. The most popular internet safety apps include:
The Internet offers many benefits, but it also brings significant risks in the form of various scams and security threats. The most common include phishing, online shopping scams, fake dating sites, fraudulent e-shops, identity theft and fake lotteries.
To protect against these threats, it is crucial to follow basic internet security principles such as using strong and unique passwords, two-factor authentication, antivirus software, firewalls and being careful when sharing personal information and clicking on links.
Internet safety also affects children, who are vulnerable to cyberbullying, inappropriate content and scammers. Parents should set privacy and security measures, use parental controls and educate children about safe online behaviour.
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Ondřej is the attorney who came up with the idea of providing legal services online. He's been earning his living through legal services for more than 10 years. He especially likes to help clients who may have given up hope in solving their legal issues at work, for example with real estate transfers or copyright licenses.
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