WATCH out for two common scams that could strike at any moment.
They make use of seemingly harmless phrases that lull you into a false sense of security.
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These attacks could take place on any device, including your iPhone, Android, Microsoft Windows PC or Mac.
In an official security memo, Kaspersky’s Stan Kaminsky warned of two common phrases used by cybercriminals.
The first phrase you need to look out for is “remove a virus”.
A crook might claim to be someone from a big tech brand like Microsoft, and tell you they can help you clear viruses from your system.
If you’ve clicked a link that a stranger offering to remove viruses for you, it’s very possibly you’ve been hacked.
Kaspersky also warned about a second phrase: “erroneous bill”.
This is used when crooks pretend that you’ve been mistakenly charged.
They’ll pose as customer support and send you a “helpful link” to solve the problem.
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But this is just another way to either steal your info or money, or simply infect your device with malware.
How to react if you’ve been hacked
There are five things you need to do if you think you’ve been hacked.
First, don’t give out any more information than you already have.
“If you’re talking to someone on the phone — even if they claim to be from your bank or tech support — and the conversation seems even just a little strange, hang up immediately and don’t answer if they call back,” said Stan, who works for security giant Kaspersky.
Secondly, consider disconnecting your device from the internet.
This can stop criminals from controlling your device from afar.
Third, think about what a hacker might have learned about you.
That way, you can figure out what actions you might need to take.
The fourth tip is essential: change your passwords.
“Quickly log in to all services where the compromised password was used and change it to a new one — unique for each service,” Stan explained.
“If you disconnected your device from the internet, use another device rather than plugging in the potentially infected one.”
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Fifth, consider contacting your bank if you think you’ve given up enough info to allow fraud to take place.
The faster you do this, the less likely you are to lose money to crooks.
