Tag Archive for malicious

Stealing the Season

‘Tis the season…for stealing your identity and financial information. There’s a large number of malicious apps out there anxious to trap you by filling your In-Box with offers of fantastic prices and discounts. Beware! Here are a few tips:

  1. Watch out for texts that contain spelling or grammatical errors. Legit retailers pay good money to make sure their promotional materials don’t have such mistakes.
  2. Avoid third-party app stores. Stick to real, established ones, like Apple and Google.
  3. Look at the URL. Be sure it starts with HTTPS. If not, forget it.
  4. If the prices are too fantastic to be true–and items are not being sold from the trunk of a car–it’s a scam.
  5. Shop only from retailers you’re familiar with and ones you trust.

In short, make sure you don’t bestow the gift of your money and private information on scammer.