Disturbing red-flag signs you're being targeted in a cyber attack

[Retro]

It pays to be increasingly aware and vigilant about these things since the number of cyber attacks is increasing quickly nowadays. And no wonder, since there's virtually no jeopardy for the criminals. Just look at all those large Indian call centres set up to scam people 24/7 as it's impossible to keep something like that secret and they're being exposed all the time. It's obvious that the government is in on it. Especially so when people fighting this like scambaiters, or anti-fraud departments around the world report it to the Indian authorities and fuck all happens.

Cybersecurity experts are raising the alarm for Brits, highlighting 'creepy' warning signs that could suggest you're in the crosshairs of a cyber attack. This comes on the back of a significant surge in cyber attacks in recent years, a trend which experts predict will only escalate.

"One of the most obvious signs that your data has been compromised is unauthorised transactions on your bank account. If you notice a suspicious transaction, you should act immediately and inform your bank."

Below, Luke shares some of the most unusual signs - and one particularly creepy sign - that indicate your data may have been compromised.

Disturbing red-flag signs you're being targeted in a cyber attack

Cybersecurity experts have detailed the 'creepy' warning signs that could indicate you're being targeted in a cyber attack

uk.news.yahoo.com

 

[Tiffany]

Good tips to follow, thank you!

I'll add another I just learned today from a webmaster friend of mine. It was recommended that we use a different browser for our admin user level on our websites. In other words, some webmasters have two users for their websites, one for admin use only (access to the admin panel and making admin changes) and the other user for the actual commenting, writing interactions; the real you personality of your website. When you use two separate browsers, you are protecting your admin password and access. It was also recommended to officially log out when you are done on your website, which I think we all do that, but I have come back to my computer later and realized I still had my website open and active.

 

[Retro]

Some great advice there Tiffs. I'll also add that a lot of software supports 2FA nowadays, including XenForo, so turn it on for greatly enhanced security.

 

[Tiffany]

Cool, yeah I agree, I feel so much better with 2FA set up on all of my important websites etc.

 

[zoldos]

I don't answer phone calls if I don't recognize the number. I also never click anything in e-mails, again if I don't recognize it or who it's from. I also often report phishing scams, block suspicious e-mail addresses, use tonnes of privacy and anti-malware plugins on my browser, 2FA on any site that supports it, and use extremely large, complex and completely different passwords on all sites I'm on.

Seems to work so far!

Hey @Tiffany !

 

[Retro]

Yeah, you can't be too careful with security. Me, I just use "fred" everywhere.

Oh!

 

[Tiffany]

Hey @zoldos. Same, on phone calls and emails.... emails I'll look at the sender email and almost 100% it's something nefarious. I love the ones pretending to be your credit cards service. Scary!

@Retro Agreed, you can't be too careful.

 

[Retro]

I love the ones pretending to be your credit cards service. Scary!

Oh boy, this reminds me, some time back, my landline rang and a stilted, robotic voice claimed that they were from the Visa Debit Department. I mean, seriously?! It said that I had to press 1 or similar to prevent my card from being closed down, or somesuch BS. I put the phone down.

It would be tempting to press 1 and speak to a scammer, leading them round the houses and eventually leaving them enraged, but this could have had two consequences:

1. I could have been charged a lot of money for the call perhaps even though they called me. Don't know, but not gonna risk it.
2. It would likely have put me on a suckers list as I'd responded to it resulting in an endless stream of such crank calls and that really would be annoying and disruptive.

No thanks to either consequence and I've only ever had a few of those calls, thankfully. However, it's another matter when they call up claiming to be from one of the big mobile phone companies with some fantastic discount on my contract with said company that I'm usually not with. I can often work them up into a rage and end up chucking a load of abuse* at them before they hang up or I do, or they just hang up without warning if they sense I'm not a sucker. Either way the call ends with them feeling frustrated and me laughing at them.

Finally, I want to say to one of them that I'll let them do the scam if they simply admit that they're a scammer and then lead them round the houses, pretending that I'm trying to keep my promise. However, I don't get these calls very often and the couple of times I've said this, they just hung up, alas.

*Really unprintable, and horrendously un-PC abuse that I couldn't possibly repeat here. It really does ruin their day.

 

[zoldos]

Same, on phone calls and emails.... emails I'll look at the sender email and almost 100% it's something nefarious. I love the ones pretending to be your credit cards service. Scary!

I don't have any credit cards. lol Cash or debit.

 

[zoldos]

Yeah, you can't be too careful with security. Me, I just use "fred" everywhere.

What do you mean?

 

[Retro]

It was just a little joke, hence the oh! and smiley lol.

Of course, the different and complex passwords coupled with 2FA is the way to go.

 

[Tiffany]

I don't have any credit cards. lol Cash or debit.

You know, there's a lot of freedom with that!

 

[Geffers]

I don't have any credit cards. lol Cash or debit.

Credit cards in UK, and US I believe, give added purchaser protection against faulty products or services which debit cards do not. Debit cards can, if fraudulently used, wipe out your bank account so I have a bank account with a lower balance in it specifically for debit card use online.

 

[Geffers]

It was just a little joke, hence the oh! and smiley lol.

Of course, the different and complex passwords coupled with 2FA is the way to go.

2FA can be an issue when travelling, was in US once, used Credit Card and there was some issue that needed text confirmation - that text was well delayed so transaction didn't go through. Was only a small transaction too, ice cream. Fortunately alternative card worked OK.

 

[Geffers]

I don't answer phone calls if I don't recognize the number. I also never click anything in e-mails, again if I don't recognize it or who it's from. I also often report phishing scams, block suspicious e-mail addresses, use tonnes of privacy and anti-malware plugins on my browser, 2FA on any site that supports it, and use extremely large, complex and completely different passwords on all sites I'm on.

Seems to work so far!

Hey @Tiffany !

Good advice on all though I must admit on some non transactional type web sites I do use a generic password. Anything however of importance, especially financial, then complicated password comes in.

Even emails from people you know can be dodgy, unless the email says something personal I too do not open until I have confirmed they sent it.

 

[Retro]

2FA can be an issue when travelling, was in US once, used Credit Card and there was some issue that needed text confirmation - that text was well delayed so transaction didn't go through. Was only a small transaction too, ice cream. Fortunately alternative card worked OK.

Oh yeah, 2FA is a PITA, I don't really like it and has issues like this, but it's very effective at protecting from attacks, so we just have to put up with it.

 

[zoldos]

Credit cards in UK, and US I believe, give added purchaser protection against faulty products or services which debit cards do not. Debit cards can, if fraudulently used, wipe out your bank account so I have a bank account with a lower balance in it specifically for debit card use online.

I did have my bank card info stolen a long time ago on-line, and the person purchased a bunch of DVDs. I check my accounts daily, and immediately saw it. I reported the card stolen, and got the money back, but had to get a new bank account number (same bank).

This was way back on the early internet (like maybe 1998). It's never happened since, and now-a-days, I use *extremely* complex passwords and 2FA. I don't worry about have to enter them remotely, since I never go out.... lol