If you own a domain name for your business, there's a good chance you've received - or will receive - an email that looks like an urgent invoice for your

EvilTokens charged $1,500 to join and $500 a month — and in return, gave cybercriminals AI tools to breach inboxes, impersonate colleagues, and redirect wire transfers, no hacking expertise required. Microsoft seized 50 websites and helped bust two suspects, marking the first court-authorized takedown of an end-to-end AI-powered cybercrime platform.

Just when I thought I'd seen it all, a new phishing email landed in the official inbox of our small home office (SOHO) business, where my wife and I are - Mangoidiots

These 3 words in a text message mean you’re being scammed — here’s why you should delete it immediately MY SPECIALTY: EXTRAORDINARY SERVICE Marie Walton, CRS, GRI REALTOR & ASSOCIATED BROKER   (972) 816-5197   mariewalton@ebby.com   View Website   Ebby Halliday - North Dallas 16000 Preston Road, Suite 100 Dallas TX 75248 #scam  #emailscams #realtor #realestateagent #dfw #northtexas

Phishing emails are among the most effective ways to hack into people’s accounts. But when did it all start? The history of hacking through emails began in March 1999, when a vicious email-based malware was released. It’s the Melissa Virus, named after an exotic dancer in Florida.

Phishing emails are among the most effective ways to hack into people’s accounts. But when did it all start? The history of hacking through emails began in March 1999, when a vicious email-based malware was released. It’s the Melissa Virus, named after an exotic dancer in Florida.

The UK regulator warns of Bitcoin scam as email scams that solicit cryptocurrency have been gathering popularity among criminals worldwide. The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) in the United Kingdom has issued a warning regarding a new scam that…

Business email compromise attacks are on the rise. Here's how you can stay ahead of the hackers. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.

Micheal contacted me by email and wound up having a few exchanges with me about his need for a topographic and boundary survey. First clue about this scam is that the guy doesn’t even ...

  As the festive season rolls in with cozy drinks, twinkling lights and gift exchanges, it also brings a sharp spike in online scams. Cybercriminals are working overtime during the holidays, using increasingly advanced tactics to trick people into clicking malicious links or sharing sensitive information. Distinguishing between a real website and a fraudulent one has never been more challenging. Stopping these digital grinches is a constant battle. Data from the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center shows that phishing and spoofing scams drained more than $70 million from victims during the 2024 holiday season alone. What makes these scams particularly dangerous is how convincing they’ve become. Many fraudulent links now use standard “https” encryption and domain names that closely resemble legitimate brands, making them appear authentic at first glance. Clicking on a scam link can lead to serious consequences beyond a ruined holiday mood. Victims may face financial losses, unknowingly hand over credit card details to a fake “Secret Santa,” or download malware that can lock up devices in seconds. Understanding how to identify and avoid scam links is key to staying protected this season. How to identify scam links Scam links commonly appear in phishing emails, text messages, social media messages and other forms of digital communication. Their goal is to lure users into downloading malware or entering personal and financial information on fake websites. Popular schemes include unpaid toll notices, fake investment offers, gold bar scams and fraudulent job opportunities. Cybercriminals often send these messages in bulk, increasingly using artificial intelligence to make them seem legitimate. Despite repeated warnings, enough people fall for these scams each year to keep the cycle going. Here’s how you can avoid taking the bait. 1. Check the URL carefully : “Smartphones do their best to block scam links, so attackers use tricks to make their links clickable,” said Joshua McKenty, CEO of Polyguard.ai, a cybersecurity company that helps businesses protect mobile phones and call centers from AI-driven phishing scams. He advises watching for red flags such as an “@” symbol within the URL or two web addresses combined using a question mark — especially if the first part looks like a trusted site such as Google.com or Apple.com. Dave Meister, a cybersecurity spokesperson for global cybersecurity company Check Point, noted that hovering over a link can often reveal its true destination. He also warned users to be alert for “typo-squatting,” where fake URLs closely mimic real ones, such as using “PayPa1” instead of “PayPal.” 2. Stick to familiar domains : Being familiar with the websites you regularly visit can significantly reduce risk. “Major brands, especially banks and retailers, don't often change up their domain names,” McKenty said. “If the link says Chase.com, it's likely safe. If it says, Chase-Banking-App.com, stay away.” Shortened links are common in text messages and on social media, but they’re risky. “Sadly, there's no safe way to check a shortened URL,” McKenty said, recommending that people avoid clicking them altogether. Links from services like Bit.ly or Shorturl may still display “https://,” which can be misleading. In these cases, it’s important to read the message closely and watch for urgency, threats or pressure to act quickly — all classic scam tactics. Common ways scam links reach victims 1. Text message scams : Not all scams rely on website links. Phone numbers themselves are often used to deceive victims. “People get tricked into clicking a phone number that's not actually their bank or the IRS, and then surrendering identity information on the phone,” McKenty said. Engaging with scammers, even out of curiosity, can make things worse. Responding may signal that your number is active, encouraging repeat attempts. 2. Email scams : Emails remain one of the most costly scam channels. McKenty noted that although text scams are increasing, “the biggest dollar losses are still the classic email scams.” He recommends copying suspicious links into a notes app to inspect them carefully rather than clicking directly. 3. QR code scams : QR codes have also become a growing threat. “QR codes have become the new stealth weapon, used everywhere from restaurant menus to parking meters,” said Meister. “Scammers are known to slap fake codes on top of real ones in public, or embed them in phishing emails, linking to cloned websites or malware downloads,” he said. Before scanning, consider whether the QR code makes sense in that location. Codes found on random objects or in unexpected emails are best avoided. 4. Social media direct messages: Scammers often hijack or impersonate social media accounts belonging to people you know. If a message from a relative or friend suddenly sounds aggressive, sales-driven or out of character — especially if it includes a link — verify by contacting them directly before clicking. What to do if you already clicked a scam link If you’ve clicked on a suspicious link, the outcome depends on your device’s security protections. Firewalls or antivirus software may block the threat automatically. Without protection, however, action may be needed. Here are steps to take immediately: * Install or update antivirus software: Use reputable free or paid antivirus tools to scan and remove potential threats from your computer. * Watch for signs of malware: Phones are not immune. If infected, avoid using financial apps, clear your browser cache, delete unfamiliar apps or perform a factory reset. Contact your device’s tech support if needed. * Notify your bank or card issuer: If you accessed financial accounts on a compromised device, alert your institution as a precaution. * Report the scam: If you lost money, report the incident to the Federal Trade Commission and your local police department. Reporting helps authorities warn others and reduce future victims. Staying alert and informed is your best defense against holiday scams — and the best way to keep the season joyful and secure.

  Most of us delete spam emails as soon as they land in our inbox. They’re irritating, unwanted, and often contain suspicious content. But what many people don’t know is that keeping them, at least briefly can actually help improve your email security in the long run. How Spam Helps Train Your Email Filter Email services like Gmail, Outlook, and others have systems that learn to detect unwanted emails over time. But for these systems to improve, they need to be shown which emails are spam. That’s why it’s better to mark suspicious messages as spam instead of just deleting them. If you’re using a desktop email app like Outlook or Thunderbird, flagging such emails as “junk” helps the program recognize future threats better. If you're reading emails through a browser, you can select the unwanted message and use the “Spam” or “Move to Junk” option to send it to the right folder. Doing this regularly not only protects your own inbox but can also help your co-workers if you’re using a shared office mail system. The more spam messages you report, the faster the system learns to block similar ones. No Need to Worry About Storage Spam folders usually empty themselves after 30 days. So you don’t have to worry about them piling up unless you want to manually clear them every month. Never Click 'Unsubscribe' on Random Emails Some emails, especially promotional ones, come with an unsubscribe button. While this can work with genuine newsletters, using it on spam emails is risky. Clicking “unsubscribe” tells scammers that your email address is real and active. This can lead to more dangerous emails or even malware attacks. How to Stay Safe from Email Scams 1. Be alert. If something feels off, don’t open it. 2. Avoid acting quickly. Scammers often try to pressure you. 3. Don’t click on unknown links. Instead, visit websites directly. 4. Never open files from unknown sources. They can hide harmful programs. 5. Use security tools. Good antivirus software can detect harmful links and block spam automatically. Helpful Software You Can Use Programs like Bitdefender offer full protection from online threats. They can block viruses, dangerous attachments, and suspicious websites. Bitdefender also includes a chatbot where you can send messages to check if they’re scams. Another option is Avast One, which keeps your devices safe from fake websites and spam, even on your phone. Both are easy to use and budget-friendly. While it may seem odd, keeping spam emails for a short time and using them to train your inbox filter can actually make your online experience safer. Just remember — never click links or download files from unknown senders. Taking small steps can protect you from big problems.

Authors need to be aware of a current scamming effort aimed directly at them. Lots of authors have gotten random emails from so-called publicists and marketing agents, offering to help with online …

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